My first trip with my kids to the big tree in New York City

We went to New York City in 2009, because I decided to take my kids to see the big tree.
Jose who was 6 years old was so excited to see the big tree and my son Angel was a baby. I don't think he remembers that cold and exciting day for us. We went to New York on Christmas day after we opened all the gifts that we had under the tree.

We were excited because we took the train to New York  and that was the first time I traveled on the train with my kids. Jose captured around everything with his video recorder. I could see his happiness from his eyes, and it made me feel super happy. Even know Angel  was only a year old, he seemed interested. He didn't sleep at all on our way to New York  he was staring at the lights. 

That Christmas day, we also went to the M&M store to buy a few things because everything was so expensive. Also we went to Toys ’R' us and that store has a lot stuff to see on holidays. We ate the famous and big pizza that New York City has. We weren’t expecting to see my cousin over there, but I was surprised when I saw him walking with his family on the street. We went to Starbucks to drink something hot because it was really cold that day. We talked  about our family because, it had been a lot of years without seen each other. What a really and nice surprise! I can say it was a real gift from God because my kids don't really know my family. Jose always asked me about my family and the only thing that I told him is that your grandparents are in heaven watching over us.

We have family in Puerto Rico. I told him one day we'll go to visit Puerto Rico so you can meet your father's family and also my family too. My family is smaller than his father's because,  I don't really know all my mother's family, but I know one day I'm going to have the opportunity to know them and show them to my kids.

We had a great cold Christmas day at the Rockefeller Center. We will never forget that day. Specially, Jose because that day he met his new cousin. We drove all the way to my cousin's house for almost 6 hours. We went to his house to spend time together as a family. 

The past two years we went for Thanksgiving. I drove to Rochester New York and I never want to do it again, for me was a crazy drive by myself back and forth and my kids were uncomfortable. But I did it to show Jose that we have family and we love each other, but sometimes it is hard to be together for different reasons. I'm sure that he will never forget about the long trip, I did it to see our family in Rochester New York. I'm thankful that we went that day to see the big tree in New York.

 

 

I change my own story

        I grew up with my grandmother on my father's side. She was a healthy and strong woman.

 I remember all the love that she gave to my brothers and me. She did everything for us. She went to our teacher's meetings and when we were sick she took care of us like a good mother. I love her to death. She taught me how to cook, clean and be a good woman at the house. Also she taught me how to sew. I loved those moments with her. One day she didn't feel good. My aunt who lived in the second floor with my cousin took her to the hospital, but my grandmother never came back home. She died on that day of a heart attack.

At the young age of 8 years old, I was worried about what was  going to happen with my brothers and me.

We went home after we buried my grandma, and I heard a convensation in the living room with all my uncles and my aunt. My aunt was telling them the last wishes of my grandma. My grandma told my aunt to take care of us until we grew up. And she would receive money every month from the Social  Security because of us. She stayed with us and they gave her our money from Social security, but she didn't love us with all her heart. She usually yelled and hit me whenever she saw my face, because every time she looked at me I reminded her of my mother, and she didn't like my Mom. I never understood why she treated me liked that, until the years past by. She always used to compare me with her daughter. She told me her daughter was better and more intelligent than me, but she never said her daughter was more beautiful than me, because she knew her daughter wasn't pretty. She always told me I wasn't going to be successful and became homeless.Then she swore at me.

When I was 14 years old, I was already tired of that situation so I got out the house. And I started my own life, but I always remember all the words that she told me before. But I knew it that I can break that bond that she wanted me to follow. I moved to United State to leave my past behind. And now if I compare myself I feel so much successful and more blessed for all  that I have achieved. That's how I changed the story that my aunt wanted to write for me.

My son Jose football player

My son Jose started to play football when we moved to Derby, C.T. At first when he talked to me, I was strongly against this sport that he chose, because it's a rough sport.

But my adviser talked to me and said that was a good sport for his difficult behavior, she told me they were going to teach him discipline and following rules.

When we went to the first practice I asked him if he was sure he wanted to keep playing this sport. He told me "yes mom." I didn't want him to play this sport because it was a rough sport and he could get hurt easily.


The practice was two and half hours a day from Monday to Thursday with all the heavy equipment, helmet and the pats. The weather didn't matter raining or snowing, and they didn't cancel the practice any more than the games. I thought that was too much for kids. After the first practice he came home so tired and sore. I had to give him a massage with bengay. However, he didn't care about hurting because he loved it.

Sometimes the coach screamed at him, to do whatever he needed to do right. from the bench, I could see Jose's face and I knew he didn't like the ways that the coach talked to him like that. One day he told me "Mom, I want to quit". And I replied "no you can not". In my mind, I knew that he needed those types of activities to control his temperament and all his energy, but I said to him Jose I paid already so you need to keep playing football to the end of the season. He finished the season very well.

One day he surprised me, he told me "mom" I want to enroll in football again, Now he's a good player and he plays all positions on the field. And I'm his #1 fan. And also his little brother wants to follow his steps.
                                        

I came to the U.S. when I was 21 years old

 

 

with my son Jose.

 

 

I left my mother. She lived by herself in Puerto Rico. My brother didn't visit her that much. I knew that we were going to miss and worry about her a lot, but I was looking out for my son to give him a better future. She didn't say no to me, however she was going to miss her first grandchild.

 

When we first came to the U.S. we stayed at a friend's house in Bridgeport, C.T. She lived in a two bedroom apartment, with eight people including my son and I. It was very difficult living together because the kids were fight a lot over everything, and it made me feel uncomfortable. It wasn't easy at all because I didn't have family in Connecticut.

 

My son was crying every day, until he got used to being here. He began to act problematic. It was hard for me to communicate with the person who took care of my son. I tried to explain to her the situation of my son's bad behavior, but it was difficult for me at times, because I didn't speak much English. I felt so frustrated, it made me think how tough it was going to be for me, but I decided to continue with my plans of "changing our life style".

 

I tried to find a job "ASAP" because I just wanted to have my own space. It took me a month to find the job at the factory. It was a job in which I didn't need to know a lot of English, just great production papers. That job was my all. I progressed a lot having that job.

 

 Finally! we had our own space. It was a studio apartment but to us it was a palace!

 

 

 

 

 

But unfortunately I received the bad news that my mother had passed away. I thought I would leave everything I worked so hard for and return to Puerto Rico, but for what? She was no longer there. I had only been away for a year when I when to the funeral home. My country seemed so different. In my mind she was telling me to stay in C.T. It was a sharp pain because I  had always wanted her to come over here with us but that never happened.

 

Once again I was back to reality. I got promoted at work because my production papers were getting higher. The company increased my pay check during every six months, I got a good raise since my production papers were so high. I was very happy with the outcome.

 

This time I was able to afford a two bedroom apartment. I bought a car so I didn't have to take public transportation anymore.. God is good!

 

Six years later God blessed me with my second child, My Angel!

 

 

         It  was a blessing because he looks a lot like my mother!

 

I worked for the company for six years until they sold it to another state. Oh no!!! not again!! I said. Now I have more big responsibilities. This time it was different because I could chose to go to another company or learn English. I chose the opportunity to study and have a career. I decided to learn English because I knew that I needed  to know how to speak, read, and write. It was a requirement in order to have a certified in any career. I accepted the challenge of my life for my children and myself.