They Still Gave Me Everything...

Many say that immigrants are a threat to America, but I do not think so. I know a woman who is an immigrant and is the most amazing person I know. She is a mother, who is also a wife and daughter. A strong and independent woman who was selfless, a woman who sacrificed everything for her children to receive opportunities that they might not have in her country. She came to the U.S in 2000, not speaking English, not having much money, not knowing anyone but her husband, son, and daughter in this country. She had to find a way to enroll her son in school because she wanted him to start his education as soon as possible, she had to find a way to enroll in health services because what if her husband, children, or she herself got sick, and most importantly she had to find her way around this country. She was scared. Anyone would be. She did not understand anyone who did not speak Spanish. How did she do it? I don’t know, but I give her props for being a strong woman who got through it for 20 years. This is my mother. Who gave it all up just to give us a better life. This woman has raised me for 22 years now. I remember how she always reminded my brother and me that we were proud Mexicans to be in this country because sometimes we felt like we weren’t good enough in school since we did not speak English. I never really bothered listening when I was little because I never believed her but now, I am absolutely proud of my culture. She still reminds me that we Mexicans can do it. She always pushed me to be the best I can be because she has always said that I can do the same job a white person. She came to this country with nothing, and she gave me everything. Even now that I am an adult, she gives me everything and I am so grateful for her. I am so blessed to have her in my life because without her I would not be the person I am. A proud Mexican who knows she can do anything. A proud Mexican that does not rely on anyone. She is the one who still celebrates our Mexican culture during holidays, she decorates the house and makes us delicious food from our culture. This woman is the one that allowed me to blossom into the women I am now. I do not know what I am going to do when she is not with me anymore, but I do know that I am going to always remember where I came from. I came with my parents to this country without anything and yet, they still gave me everything.