Pieces of Us

January 26, 2025

Writer: Victoria Pescod

Editor: Tyler Peterson

"There’s a saying in Spanish: “Dime con quien andas y te diré quién eres,” meaning, “Tell me who you’re with, and I’ll tell you who you are.” This idea reminds me of the inductive effect in organic chemistry, where the presence of an electronegative atom in a molecule can pull electrons, inducing polarization in neighboring bonds. Similarly, the people and experiences around us have a 'pull'—shaping and influencing who we are."

“We are composed of pieces of all those we’ve loved.” This line stayed with me the moment I read it, igniting a spark of inspiration. Given my tendency to connect everything with science, I think of it like Okazaki fragments during DNA replication—tiny segments of DNA that are synthesized in short sequences and later joined by enzymes to form a complete strand. Just as these fragments come together to create life’s blueprint, the people we connect with leave fragments of themselves within us, shaping the tapestry of our identities. Every connection, like every fragment, holds a piece of who we are becoming.

We are mosaics of those we’ve loved, bound together by shared experiences and subtle influences. But just as people can enrich our lives with positive qualities, they can also bring negativity. We must be mindful of who we let 'pull' us, shaping who we become. Not every connection enriches us; some may fill us with darkness, while others inspire hope, courage, and compassion.

Choosing who we allow close to us becomes, in a way, a choice about the person we are creating ourselves to be. From everyone I have loved, I have inherited something. A part of them now lives in me.

I am my mother’s elegance, my grandmother’s faith, and my grandfather’s ambition. I am my uncle’s devotion and my brother’s joy. I am my friends´ compassion. I am Camille’s strength, Alexandra’s gentleness, and Dani’s authenticity. I am Graciela´s laughter and Emilia´s kindness. I am Tuti’s thoughtfulness, and Mena’s courage. 

These qualities are more than fragments; they are living parts of who I am. Just as our DNA strands represent a unique combination of our ancestors' contributions, our personalities and values are shaped by those who surround us. We carry forward pieces of their spirit, not just as memories but as guiding lights, coded deep within us to carry forward.

Through our lives, we accumulate fragments that build upon each other, creating the unique essence of who we are. It’s a beautiful cycle, a continuous process of learning, growing, and becoming. These fragments remind me that who I am is as much about my own choices as it is about the people I’ve allowed into my life. And, like the inductive effect, their influences remain a part of me, shaping my path, my values, and my sense of self.

So, as we move forward, cherish these pieces. They remind us that we are never truly alone; we are a mosaic of those we've loved and learned from. And in that, there is strength, beauty, and a sense of purpose.