Stories for Liberation:  I Would Do It Again

In the following story, the pain of a daughter, who suffers the murder of her father at an early age, fails to break her. The love for her mother and siblings makes her strong, leading her to make the decision to undertake the trip to the United States, with the intention of helping her family. The young narrator, with sincerity and simplicity, explains why, despite her sufferings– familiar to so many migrants– if she had to return and repeat this,  she would try again and again.

I Would Do It Again

My childhood was very difficult because I had a lot of painful moments. The loss of my father was an intense pain that I had to live with. But I know that he watches over me from heaven and will live forever in my heart.

One day at my grandmother’s house, when I was six years old, I remember it was morning and I had just gotten up from bed, when I heard my aunt saying she had terrible news. Since my mother didn’t want me to hear it, she told me to go to my room, but I ignored her and hid behind the door. I heard when my aunt told my mother and grandmother that my father had been murdered. At that time, I felt an intense pain.

I remember shouting and saying, “No! not my daddy!” My mom ran to hug me. She took me in her arms, and she hugged me.  She told me not to cry, that my dad was now in heaven with God, but that he will always be with me. My brother was also affected by the news.

Immediately, we got ready to go to the murder scene. When we arrived, the atmosphere was filled with sadness and pain. Suddenly, I saw my father. His body was laying on the floor covered in blood. That was one of the hardest moment for me and my family.  It is a terrible pain to see the person you love the most in life and know that you will never see that person again. From that moment on, my life was never the same again.

After my father’s death, my mother went to work in the city, so that we could keep going. Even though she didn’t spend much time with us, she worked hard so that my brother and I wouldn’t lack anything. She was a mother and a father to us. I am very proud of her and will always be grateful to her all my life for being a struggling mother who managed to bring her children forward.

When I turned 17 years old, I decided to come to the United States. This came as a surprise to my mother, for she found out a week before my departure. At first, she did not agree with my decision, but seeing that everything was all arranged, she was supportive.

The day I left, I remember that it was a very sad and an unforgettable moment, since my little sister of six years had grown up with me and was very attached to me. Crying she hugged me and said: “Sister, please don’t leave!” My heart was destroyed seeing her so sad and suffering. My mother gave me her blessing and took my little sister home. So, I started my journey.

It was hard. I often did not eat or sleep, and when it rained we got wet. It was a long way here, but my mother and my siblings were always on my mind. I kept fighting because they were my motivation to continue fighting and enduring everything. The day that I finally arrived here, I felt happy because I was able to achieve my dream.

My hope is to give my family a better life. I do not regret having come here. I would do it again for me, for the family that I love and my father. May he rest in peace. I have faith in God that one day I will see him again.