Mexico

When I was little, up until I turned 18, my family and I would always find time to make a trip to Mexico to visit family. The majority of my father’s side lives in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas and we’d make an attempt to visit every other year when possible. As I was growing up I absolutely loved it! I looked forward to spending that week with my grandparents, and all of my cousins. We would have huge family dinners, lots of family gatherings at different houses, and so much fun playing at the local cancha with all of the neighborhood kids. Man, I wish I could tell all of you the many stories I have from there. I don't think there was a single visit that didn't hold some kind of adventure for us. It held the newness of a different place, the familiarity of family, and the much needed getaway. Mexico definitely holds a special place in my heart.

So, a few weekends ago my dad said he wanted to take a trip to Mexico either this fall or next summer, and wanted to know if we wanted to go too! He’s currently saving money to renew his and my mom’s passports for this trip and hopes to have everything done by this fall if not sooner. He offered to pay for Emery’s passport and told us to let him know so we could start planning. Our first responses were “YES!” of course we’d love to go. All of us together, with our respective families, making the trip to go see family in Mexico for the first time in years sounded like the most amazing thing in the world. I could only hope to be so blessed! The thought of my grandparents finally getting to meet my husband and daughter in person did so many things to my heart. And I was already thinking of the many things we’d be able to show them. How much better could it possibly get, right?? But then reality set in and even though my brother is still pretty set on going, whenever the time comes, I’m a bit undecided.

As many people already know things in certain parts of Mexico aren't great. The past few years have been tainted with massacres, bombings, and kidnappings. Mexican’s who had American relatives were threatened on a daily basis (we experienced this first hand). And many of the cities were put on lock-downs or curfews. My grandparents city included. Since then, it’s gotten a lot better, but there’s no doubt that the threat is there. Now, I haven’t really read up on whether American’s are still being targeted or if the violence is just being played out between cartels.We know a lot of people that have safely gone and come back regularly. But like many of you my husband has also read the horror stories about the violence going on. So when I suggested the trip he immediately shut it down. He said something along the lines of “No way are we risking our safety for a visit. We have a daughter to think about!”

He’s pretty set on this answer. I’m sure he thinks I’m insane for even attempting to talk him into it. And I've tried to remove my feelings from this and think about it in a realistic way. What are the chances of something happening to us while we’re down there? Is he just being a “negative Nancy” and thinking of only the bad? Maybe he’s just being overprotective? But as much as it pains me to admit it I constantly wonder if he’s right? I love my family in Mexico and I would love for them all to meet my family. I think Emery would have a blast, and I truly miss it. I want to go back. But right now, I’m wondering if this is the best idea? Should I take a chance and risk it? I know that we aren't supposed to live our lives in fear because then we’d never experience life. But where do I draw the line?