Raising a Blue Moon

My dearest child,  Before you existed, you were a prayer, a constant prayer. I prayed for God to grant me the wish to become a mother. I prayed for a healthy child. God listened. I've been hearing and reading many disturbing things about religion, so I would like to explain what I believe in and how I would like for you to understand the concept of God and religion.  I was raised Catholic, like most Mexicans. I think my first introduction to religion was at night time when my mom wanted us (my sis and I) to talk to God, to pray; we kept it pretty casual. God was a friend, a friend who lived in Heaven and could see everything and hear everything we did. Then we were taught the proper prayers, which I didn't really care for. I like my earlier version of it, addressing God as a friend without any special wording. I went to a Catholic school and was taught there is Heaven and Hell, going to mass is good, Jesus died for our sins and all, but the takeaway was: God for...