I will be focusing my thoughts to experiences I have gone through and what lessons were learned. I will mainly focus on situations between love and family. Dealing with these experiences have not been one bit easy, but there is always something to learn form it all.
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| Saul Sanchez. |
My Old Man.
December 12, 2012 was the worst day ever, it is a day I will never forget. It was a snowy day when I had gotten a phone call from my mom, yelling at me to get home. I rushed home to find my grandma crying while cooking. I kept asking everyone what was going on until my grandma mumbles "They took your grandpa" I was so confused until my mom explained to me what happened. My grandfather had been coming home from a job in Providence, that day was very snowy and the roads weren't safe. He was driving until a car had crashed into him. The guy understood that he had no license and was just going to exchange information so that the damages could get paid for, but a witness was the one who called the police. My grandfather did not want to run and make the situation worse so he just let it all happen. My heart was crushed by the news. I had lost my old man, the only man in my life. When it was time for my grandfather to get his Peruvian passport I had the chance to see him before he left. He had on his dirty work clothes on and had such a happy look on his face. Saying bye to him was the hardest thing I have ever done. My grandfather was someone who would never shed a tear until that day. Letting go of his hand and watching him walk away in handcuffs was heartbreaking. Deep down I knew that he was going to be okay and that he was going back home to family. This experience has made me so much stronger. I am who I am today because of him. My old man will forever be my everything, no matter what.
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| Gersom P. Lopez |
My Nugget.
Finding out that I was going to be a big sister was okay news for me. I had been an only child for 8 years of my life and I was living it well. I knew that having a brother was going to add on some sharing and love, I didn't mind it at all. I remember my moms entire pregnancy, I found it so amazing to see her grow and grow until she popped. May 11, 2003, It was mothers day when this little nugget was born and boy was it a crazy day. All I can remember is waiting at home for my parents and the baby, I was so excited to see him. When I finally did, I felt complete. I watched over him like a hawk. My brother has become someone so important to me that no one will every take his spot in my heart. After we had moved to Peru and moved back to Boston, My role as a sister had kicked itself into place. With my mom not being around it was up to me to handle it all. I did pretty well with my brother. Dealing with the responsibility of someone else was huge for a 10 year old. I through it all, the crying, the fighting and the tears. Now he's almost 12 and he's the most creative boy ever. Because of him I have learned to become mature and responsible. I look at myself and i'm someone very responsible and someone who he can definitely look up to.
At Ease.
When I was 14 my mom had decided to try to live on our own. It was not the best of apartments but it did the job of providing us with what we needed. My mom had my brother and I but that was not enough for her and I understand that. She started dating a man and that man ended up moving in with us. I wasn't that comfortable having a man who isn't my dad in my house but I was too young to say much and have it cause an affect. So my brother and I dealt with it. One night my mom got stuck working late and of course the man was home being a lazy and not doing anything. I remember this night clearly. I had on some basketball shorts and a tank top, thats the way I loved to sleep. My brother was already sound asleep next to me. I was starting to fall into sleep until I noticed that the lights were on but I acted as if I were asleep. I had noticed his shadow and him watching me sleep, then I felt a touch on my back. It was him touching my back and my legs. When he walked away I did not know what to do. I had no cell phone or anyway to contact anyone. Until my mom got home and I cried to her and I told her what he had done. She yelled at him and he denied it all. My mom called the police and by that time he had ran away. Police escorted me to school since I went alone, this went on for a week. No one in my family knew just my mom. That man is somewhere in Florida living as a sex offender. This whole experience has changed me in the best ways. It has made me someone who won't tolerate a man's inappropriate touch and someone stronger. Everything must happen for some reason. I had my share of obstacles and I know that there will be more, I just now know how to react.
Burgers.
saturday mornin's,forced to be up by 8 o'clock
what reason , I'm not making that much guap
cook quick, shake this, flip that, don't miss
keeping it real,
making these meals
answering calls
caution sign up front, hoping no one falls.
burgers to burgers
shakes to shake
annoyed all day its time for my break.
look at my manager
how the hell do you manage hea
shows up late
we all hate
and he says "why y'all have to discriminate"
flipping all the burger racks
while thinking why this money can't come in stacks.
Days over, why did I agree to this job
I work with slobs.
PEACE!
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteExcellent stories. You really laid out a lot of heavy, emotional experiences here, and I hope that it felt good to write some of this out, share, and process a little more on these experiences.
Each story is filled with heart, and you tell each one with such great detail, they are like little page turners. The reader just needs to keep reading to find out what happens.
It sounds like you've had some very unique challenges and changes. Yet, I am sure that many people can also relate to these stories - and would be moved to read their own story - told by someone else. That stuff happens. A lot.
Your story about your mom's boyfriend is very scary. I am relieved that it worked out. How amazing. Many people share those experiences with their families, but they are often doubted. Your mom must have known that you were being serious, and her love for you shone through her action - and her ability to listen to something she probably didn't want to hear. Good for you to say something, and good for her to take action in defense of her child. That doesn't always happen.
Your other stories are also very captivating. Is your grandfather still in Peru, then? Do you get to visit him?
And your story about raising your little brother is very similar to my own experience. I was 12 when my brother was born, and I was asked to take care of him, share a room... it was hard. But my brother and now have a bond that is quite thick, and I'm grateful that he and I went through a lot of challenge together. We earned our stripes.
Your poem is good! Again, I wish that it was a bit longer. The flow of this poem, it's fast, almost angry energy, almost calls for it to be nearly twice as long. See what happens when you keep writing. Try to write at least 20 lines in each poem, going forward. Your work is too good to be cut short.
Another suggestion: be careful of your punctuation. Double check to make sure you have all of the periods and commas that your sentences call for. The first sentence of your first story has an error. Try to catch those, and ensure that your post looks as professional as possible.
Overall, another great post. Your stories are riveting/powerful. It's great to see what experiences have shaped you. Usually, it is the challenges (and how we bounce back) that shape who we are. Even these very difficult times can, eventually, be looked back upon as accomplishments in our lives. They are the turning points. They are the things that, as you so clearly mention, show us what we've got, what we're willing to put up with, and how we react to ensure our own (often emotional) survival.
Excellent work!
GR: 95