All Posts By Charlene Gonzalez

Abuela Lydia,

No words can truly describe how much I will miss you. You have always been a remarkable source of strength, love, and care in my life. The way you raised 14 children and nurtured so many grandchildren amazes me; I’m often overwhelmed just thinking about having one kid!

Through you, I have learned the meaning of being a wonderful sister, wife, and mother, as your love for family knew no bounds. Your cooking was unmatched, and we all cherished the holidays at Grandma’s house.

Growing up, you never missed any of our activities. You made it a point to be at church whenever my sister and I sang. Even before moving to Puerto Rico, we attended New Jerusalém church together on Sundays, A church grandpa co-founded and co-pastored many years ago.

You and my mom were best friends, and I loved our weekends searching for garage sales. You were the queen of knickknacks and trinkets, always finding treasures.

When my parents decided to move to Puerto Rico when I was 19, the one thing I knew I would miss most was you, Abuela Lydia. I never truly had a relationship with my other grandparents, but you were always there. During my years in Puerto Rico, my heart ached for you. I will never forget an interview where I was asked what it meant to be an influencer; I said, “I don’t feel like one. To me, the greatest influencer is my grandmother, a woman who raised 14.” Despite my success I still felt unworthy of that label. You will always be the true influencer in my life.

During a Christmas visit to New York in 2021, my Aunt Esther encouraged me to stay. In January 2022, I made the decision to move back to NY—a choice I’ll never regret. You had this incredible intuition and always knew when I was feeling down. “¿Estás triste?” you would ask, and you always knew how to lift my spirits with a joke or encouraging words.

Abuelita linda, it breaks my heart to think I won’t share morning coffee and ritz crackers with you, dance with you, or hear you call me silly names like “moñua” and “doña dulia.” Now who will I annoy?  Your absence is felt everywhere because you were truly the life of the party.

Our relationship was unique, precious, and profound. Each moment spent with you was a treasure, and I will carry those beautiful memories in my heart. 

Your love, grace, warmth, wisdom, and sense of humor will always inspire me. I promise to live my life in a way that honors you.

It has been a profound honor to be by your side until your last moments of life. I will continue to uphold your legacy as the powerful, graceful, loving Proverbs 31 woman you always were. Mostly I promise to keep your sense of humor alive.

Tu nieta,

Charlene Gonzalez 

Hey everyone!  I know I’ve been a bit MIA lately, but I’ve been on a journey of healing over the past few months. I’ve faced some tough challenges recently; including deception and betrayal, and it’s made me rethink trust—something I’ve lost in many people. But this process has been essential for me to understand how powerful God is as he guides me through this season.

God’s protection and love for me have been truly immense. I went through a really dark time, and there was a moment when I tried to take my own life, but God saved me. In my anger and pain, He taught me to trust Him completely and to leave revenge in His hands, as He is just.

Sometimes, our purpose is so immense that the enemy tries to destroy and throw us off course, but I refuse to let him have the victory. Most importantly, no matter how much pain and hurt I was in I had to forgive. Forgiveness sets you free and I didn’t want to live in bondage. God has showered me with perfect love, grace, and mercy even bringing spiritual, emotional, mental and physical healing.

Throughout this journey, I’ve been blessed with the support of so many incredible, God-fearing people. I’ve always been open about my experiences because I believe that sharing our journeys can help others. Soon, I’ll share my testimony with all of you because no matter how dark the situation I faced was there is great purpose in it. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” -Romans 8:28

Isn’t it amazing that during this time of renewal, we get to celebrate one of my favorite seasons, Spring? I absolutely adore spring and all the beauty it brings, especially the gorgeous cherry blossoms! I’m that person who is always taking pictures of cherry blossoms, even though people passing by may think I’m crazy. I mean, how can you not snap a million pictures of them? They are breathtaking. Did you know that cherry blossoms symbolize renewal and the beauty of life? 

They mark the arrival of spring, which is all about new beginnings and transformation. Since they bloom for only a few weeks, they remind us to cherish every single moment. This joy and renewal mirror the transformation I’m embracing in my life.

I know many of you are going through tough times too. Remember, God is bigger than any challenges you’re facing. Trust Him and know that He loves you deeply! 

Be Lovely, Be You

Charlene Gonzalez 

As an influencer, I’ve always held the belief that having influence means nothing if it’s not used for good. Throughout my journey as a content creator and influencer, I’ve experienced many special and transformative moments that have deepened my appreciation for life, even amidst its chaos. One of those beautiful and unforgettable moments in my life was this remarkable girl Stephanie who inspired me in ways I will never forget. 

Thanks to my dear friend Ivania, I had the privilege of meeting Stephanie, who dreamed of having her epic blogger moment but was courageously battling cancer.

We came together to organize a special photoshoot and give her a makeover—an experience that filled her with pure joy and sparkled in her eyes.

Though her battle on this earth has come to an end, her life will forever serve as a reminder for me to live with purpose and cherish every single moment I am given.  She was beyond brilliant and had so many goals. Stephanie taught me that every heartbeat holds meaning, and there’s beauty to be found, even in the darkest of times. Her legacy will continue to inspire me to use my influence for good, to lift others, and to embrace life with open arms.

Be Lovely, Be You

Charlene Gonzalez 

On Sunday, January 19th, New York experienced its first snowstorm of the year. That night, I found myself in a terrifying situation that served as a profound reminder of God’s protection in my life.

As I carefully drove on the snowy roads, turning cautiously around a curve, my car suddenly lost control. In an instant, it swerved toward a barricade that dropped off into a cliff. I felt a surge of panic as I desperately tried everything I could to regain control, but nothing worked. As I braced myself for the worst, I closed my eyes, and in that heart-stopping moment, the car came to an abrupt halt right near the edge. My heart knew, without a doubt, that God had intervened and stopped the car. 

It’s incredible how quickly thoughts can flood your mind in moments like these. In the split second where I felt my life flash before my eyes, I realized something profound: when I let go of trying to control the situation, God took over. Lately, I’ve been carrying a lot on my shoulders, and there are times when doubt creeps in, clouding my ability to fully trust that He is in control.

This wasn’t the first time I’ve found myself in life-threatening situations. From the brink of being kidnapped to car accidents and heart-wrenching heartbreaks, I’ve experienced God’s protection time and time again. In every moment of fear and uncertainty, He has always provided a way out and filled my heart with peace.

Even in the face of death, God was reminding me that He is ultimately in control. He was urging me to let go of everything that weighs me down and to trust Him completely. His plans for my life are greater than I can comprehend, and His timing is perfect. I was reminded that I was created for a purpose, for such a time as this.

So, I want to take this moment to encourage you: no matter what you’re facing, trust God. He is with you, guiding you through every storm and reminding you that you are never alone.

Be Lovely, Be You

Charlene Gonzalez