Laura dePaz Cabrera: being a mom, the core of everything she does. Written by Karolina Banda Photos by Libby Clifton In a city like Gainesville, where cultures, hard work, and shared dreams intersect, there are women who hold multiple worlds together with a quiet strength and effortless grace that inspires. In this special Mother’s Day edition, we share the story of Laura de Paz, a closer look at motherhood through her lived experiences, and how it reshapes who you are. A recognized immigration attorney in the community, a trusted voice who informs and guides, a singer on stage… and a mother. For Laura, motherhood isn’t just a role; motherhood is present in everything she is and everything she does; the one hat she never takes off. A mother of three, Laura has learned that [...]
There’s a weight that comes with being far from the place where we were born, far from our families, and from the traditions familiar to us. It’s a feeling that’s hard to explain but easy to recognize, like something within us is still missing or unsettled. Immigrating, in itself, is a difficult journey. For many, it requires starting over, often from zero, and sometimes alone. We learn how to navigate systems we don’t fully understand at first, adjust to a new language, and keep up with a pace of life that feels constant, fast, and overwhelming. Here, everything moves quickly, and it can take time to find our place within it. In the middle of that process, something as simple and as powerful as community can make all the difference. Finding community grounds us. It [...]
There’s something almost invisible that happens when our spaces are full, closets packed, drawers overflowing, surfaces covered in “just in case” items we haven’t touched in months. We don’t always notice it right away. But it shows up in small ways: in the hesitation before opening a drawer,in the mental checklist that never feels finished,in the quiet sense that our home isn’t fully supporting us. Our environment speaks to us constantly. And when it’s crowded, our minds often follow. Decluttering isn’t about perfection or having a picture-perfect home. It’s about creating space, physically and mentally, for what actually matters in your life right now. Why it matters more than we think A clear space doesn’t just look good, it feels different. When your surroundings are lighter, your mind tends to follow. You think more clearly. [...]
