I remember when it all came to a head. I was in the Veracruz airport getting ready to head to the United States with my son. I had his Consular Birth Abroad Certificate given to me by the United States Embassy in Mexico City. They told me that since he was traveling as an American, it was the only document I would need. But the immigration official standing before me told me that I would not be able to leave the country with my son.

My plane was going to take off in 30 minutes and I couldn’t get on board. Why? He explained to me that since my son was traveling as an American, he needed a visa to be in Mexico. I showed him his Mexican birth certificate. Didn’t matter. So to make a very long story short, we bought my Mexican son a visa for his own country so we could go see my family. I remember thinking, for the first time in my life, some very ugly things about Mexico.

I later realized, though, that it was really only a lover’s spat. When I was safely in my parent’s house with my son on my lap, I calmed down and began to feel homesick for Mexico.

There are a lot of things that make living here difficult: the economy, the violence, the contamination, the corruption. But there are so many things that make it all worth it, things like the rhythm of daily life, the importance of family, the huge variety of fresh, regional fruits and vegetables, the magic and folklore, and, most importantly, my husband and kids.

I can now see Mexico for what it really is. I can be critical and analytical at times, but the criticism comes from a deep desire to make the country I love just a little better.