My immigration story started in a country unlike this one.
I don’t remember much about the country I was born and grew up in because I was young. I was just about to turn 6 when my parents wanted a better life for me and my three brothers.
Towards the end of 1990, my parents decided to set out across the ocean. The “American Dream” beckoned them.
I wasn’t happy. I didn’t know where we were going and why. I also had to give away my favorite dolls that I owned. My mother promised me that I would get new ones but to me these were my favorite and I didn’t want to part with them.
My parents had to go through everything that they owned. They could only take with them what could fit in suitcases. After a lot of packing and deciding what to give away and what to keep we were set to begin our journey. This journey would take a couple of months and we would be going through a couple of countries.
The morning came and it was time to board the bus. I was really excited and just a little sad. It was going to be an adventure. I was sad to be leaving my dolls behind but other than that I had no idea that our family and friends who came to say good bye might be seeing us for the very last time.
We boarded the bus and I remember a grandmother climbing the steps and crying. She was coming to say goodbye to us. I didn’t understand why she was crying.
How could I?
I was almost 6 and thought we were going on an adventure. I didn’t realize that we may never see this grandma again. Or the family and friends who had come to say goodbye and to send us on our way.
I was happy until she started throwing candy around and one smacked my forehead and almost made me cry. I guess that was the tradition, you throw candy to the kids as they are leaving to another country.
Our journey would not be quick and easy. We would be stopping by a couple of countries before reaching our destination and it would take a couple of months. Oh, but I was ready for the adventure.
Chapter 2 coming soon.