Dear Hanna Lucia the Musician,

Your music touches many; however, what is most touching is your story. It is like a song that will never be forgotten and has a trembling, sweet melody. I think the only way to do your story justice is to share it, as you have done for so many others.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, your mother came from Guatemala and your father was from the States. At the young age of eight, your parents divorced and your mother went back to Guatemala and you stayed with your dad, who quickly remarried.

At age 11, you were hospitalized for two weeks and given the diagnosis that you were a hermaphrodite. You were terrified and bewildered, as you had grown up a girl, but now you were developing more masculine features such as facial hair. With no mother to comfort you, suicide was never far from your mind. Fortunately, you were unsuccessful in these attempts.

While you were still trying to come to terms with your changing body, your dad sadly died and at eighteen you were kicked out of your house and given just enough money to make it to Guatemala so you could find your mother. When you finally got to Guatemala, you found out that your mother had also died, and with just the clothes on your back and the little money you had left, you began to play your guitar on the streets.

For the past 20 years, you have been on and off the streets making music and touching other people with your story. Besides the clothes you have been given from travelers that you have met along the way and your precious guitar, you only keep with you a book of simple notes from people you have met and who have been blessed by you. It is through these notes and your music that you say you are able to stay positive and continue to keep living.

Hanna Lucia, your story is one of pure determination and strength. Being a woman myself, I can’t even imagine experiencing what you have gone through. You are so positive and an encouragement to more people than I think you will ever be able to imagine. Thank you for opening your heart to me and showing me how much I have to appreciate in my own life. I think I can only leave you with the advice you left with me. “If you change your thinking, you can change your life.”

Inspired por you,

Kristen