My Little-Big Sister Sarah
Few things in life are as pleasant as having a family. In my particular case, my family was, is and will be the most important thing in my life. I was born into a large family, three sisters and two brothers, mom, dad and my grandma were my whole world. My family had economic needs, but when my siblings and I were kids we were very happy.
I'm the eldest of my sisters; I always protected them, but sometimes they protected me also, especially my little sister Sarah. Sarah is the fourth of my five siblings, she was a frail and sickly girl. When I was a child I thought that my sister Sarah was the favorite daughter of my parents because they gave special care to her, I felt jealous of my sister Sarah but also I felt love for her.
One day when I was playing with my friends, my sister Sarah asked me if she could play with us, I said yes even that I known my friends didn't like her. She played with all of us that afternoon and she enjoyed spending time with us. The same day at dinner time, I saw that my mother was angry. When finally I asked her what was wrong she told me that she was very upset with me because I didn't let my sister play, I felt surprised because it was a lie, a really big lie. I tried to explain to my mother that my sister Sarah was lying but she didn't believed me, after that my resentment towards my sister increased.
I was planning my revenge carefully for a long time. The opportunity came one day, I was playing with my sisters in my Godmother's house, suddenly my sister Lorena asked to my Godmother's daughter which one of us looked more like my mother, She responded that it was me, and none of them seemed like my parents. My sister Lorena didn't gave any importance to the comment and she was continued playing, but not my sister Sarah, she was standing and still thinking about it until I went up to her and asked "Sarah you know why you don't look like our parents?'' Her answer was no and I said "Honey, you're so innocent. Is easy to know the reason that you don't look like my parents it's because you're ADOPTED.
My sister Sarah was in shock. She opened her eyes, her mouth and she fainted. I was scared, even though I was angry with her I never expected such reaction at that moment. I realized that I did misbehaved, I just wanted my sister Sarah to react. I called my Godmother and when she came she helped my sister to reacted. She asked my sister that what had happened. My sister did not answer, just stared at me. I knew then my sister would tell my mother what happened and what a terrible punishment my consequence would be, but it did not...
Later, when my mother was picking us up, my mother asked to my sister Sarah how she felt, she responded "don't worry mom, I'm perfectly fine" I was astonished. I was alarmed trying to guessed what she was planning against me. So, I took the plunge and asked her "Sarah why you don't tell our parents what really happened?." I will never forget what she answered me.
"I know that you hate me" she said, "maybe it's my fault because I have not been a good sister, I know you lied about that I'm adopted Today's incident helped me to realized that I don't want that my siblings hate me, I forgive you, Because I love you sister." Although was a child at that moment I understood the meaning of the brotherhood and I felt wretched. I hugged to my sister Sarah and I apologized. I told her how sorry I was and how much I love her. I said "please forgive me, I promise to be a good sister." She said "Yes sister." We cried a lot, we promised forget that incident and we fulfill it. Since then we have a close relationship.
Have passed many years and many things were happened. Now, my sister Sarah is a nun. She has traveled worldwide. She learned four languages. Right now she lives in Angola Africa. She is dedicating her life to serving to the less fortunate. Many times she been almost about to die, from the terrible diseases that are existing in Africa, but now she is a strong, loving and dedicated woman. The weak and sickly girl is not existing more. She is my example of charity and kindness. I'm so proud of my little-big sister Sarah. The little girl who gave me a lesson that changed my life forever.
My First and Last Birthday Party
The month was June. It was a really hot day. I could see the air floating, but there was no wind. It had been windy before but not now. I was playing with my friends outside of my house. They were my neighborhood friends, I had known them since I was born.
It was a special day. The reason was because It was my birthday. I took my five years old. I felt thirsty and I went to the kitchen to drink some water. I saw a cake. A beautiful and delicious cake was on the kitchen table. I knew it was for me. It was my special day. I was very excited because it was my first birthday party. I never had a birthday party before.
Like many kids of my age, I wanted to have a birthday party. I dreamt of having a big party with a wonderful dress and a beautiful cake. I was a little girl but, I had already began to realize many things, including that money was scarce in my home.
I'm the second of five siblings. I have two brothers and two sisters. My big brother is four years older then me. (he is my hero). He was my babysitter when I was a baby. My parents had always worked and hardly had time for us. There were difficult times for my parents to maintain five kids. There were not enough money for parties or special celebrations. So when I discovered the cake in the kitchen I felt surprised.
It was hard for me to return to play with my friends and pretend that I did not know anything about the cake. An hour later my mother called me inside of the house to take a bath. When I finished my shower my mother came to my room. She was holding a gorgeous pink dress for me. I was in shock; I thought I was dreaming. My parents and my siblings gathered around the cake, waiting for me in the kitchen. When I entered to the kitchen they began to sing the happy birthday song.
I couldn't believe it. Finally my dream came true. Everything was as I always dreamt it. Tears fell down my face. They were tears of joy and gladness. Since then every year when it was my birthday, I remember the day with happiness and sadness. That day I was so happy that even now as a grown woman I still remember with love and wistfulness my first and last birthday party.
Following a Dream
Like many people, I came to the United States, in search of the American Dream. It is the dream that many immigrants believe to be true; the dream that all people can have happy and successful lives if they work hard. Coming to the United States was the hardest decision in my life. I thought about the idea carefully. I made a mental list of all the pros and the cons to decide if I should move to United States. The simple idea of leaving family, friends and country was terrible and scary to me. When the day came to say goodbye I cried a lot, it was a traumatic moment. Ten years later I'm still crying.
Before I arrived, my husband was preparing for our arrival. He had spent two years working, finding a new home, and learning English. My daughter and I arrived in a new world we had a new country. We left our family behind, we felt alone, and sometimes lonely. I had to learn the language, the traditions and the neighborhood along with new people. The change in my new life was so hard and I got depressed.
For many years I did not know why I felt sad, some days were full of sadness. Other days seemed endless. I did not know how to deal with these feelings. Finally one day, I found an article in a magazine. This article was describing my feelings. I finally understood that I needed medical assistance. The diagnosis was depression and anxiety. I have had therapy, group therapy and some medications over the years. I'm a work in progress.
While all this was happening, I was continued taking care of my daughter. Fortunately, the changes were best for her. She went to Middle School, and then she went to high school and graduated with honors. Right now she is a sophomore in college. I'm very proud of her. She is my great strength.
I decided I needed to study; I needed to speak, read and write English. I started school in September 2010. Before coming to school my vision of life was completely different than what it is now. For the last five years, day after day, bit by bit, something has been changing in me, in my life, in my family life, something good! Now I get it! I have regained confidence in myself! I graduated with a High School equivalency. The courses were difficult. I took years to finish. My hard work and dedication paid off. Now I'm a college student. I realize that I needed to continue studying to improve my life and be a good example for my beloved children.
Now, the future looks hopeful. Now I know that my strength is in myself. Even though ten years later I'm still crying when I remember my family, I'm very proud of all my accomplishments. I can do everything because I'm strong. I'm powerful. I'm happy. I'm a new person.
