When you left, I was 14 years old. I was about to take on my years of adolescence and beginning High School. Of course, I became a wreck with the news. Without you, things seemed so bleak to me. I felt myself starting to drift away from people, from reality, from school, pretty much anything. There are things in my teenage years that I regret, there were people I once knew who weren’t great and in a way that was how I was coping with things for those few years. Not wise, I know, I heard you scold me every time.
School was not my cup of tea and you knew it, but since you left I knew I had to get my stuff together. I knew that you wanted me to succeed and become someone. While sitting alone in the cafeteria, I remembered the support you constantly gave me. You helped me to be calm and go to school when I didn’t want to. You pushed me to the limit because you saw something in me that I couldn’t see. I’m writing this to say thank you, thank you for giving me, my brothers and cousins a good life. Thank you for being a great Abuela. Thank you for letting me know that I can support myself and be a strong woman on my own. The stories you’ve shared with me are in my mind forever; you were such a strong and powerful woman. That’s what helped me get up and move forward. I know that wherever you are, you do not want to see me down.
I want you to know that I’m at Stony Brook University; I’m a junior, working my way up to getting my BA in English. I also am speaking out for the Latino community and trying to help as much as I can. I get that from you, I know how much you’ve helped people and fought for others. You have inspired me to keep going and going until I can’t anymore. Thank you; because every day on campus feels surreal. I bring myself back to being a child running to your room and hiding because of how much I hated school. Now I’ve conquered that fear. I genuinely enjoy school; I love learning new things. I wish you were around so that I can tell you what I’ve learned. But I know that you’re with me, cheering me on, watching me grow into a fantastic person.
When you have the time, give your grandma a call, even if it’s for 5 minutes. Tell her you love and appreciate her.
I love you, Abuela. Thank you for everything, keep cheering me on. I will make you proud.