My parent’s marriage was the beginning of a troubled experience for my mother. My parents were both born and raised in Colombia. My mom was a high school teacher, and to be honest, I’m not sure what my dad did for a living. All I know is he was fascinated with the idea of coming to America to chase the “American Dream”. My mom got pregnant, married my father, and came to America. That was the start of it all. My mom didn’t speak a word of English, and had to rely on my father, who was the provider for the family. They made a home in NYC for 13 years together, and had 3 kids (my brother, sister, then me). By the time I was 2, my father got deported and my mom was left all alone, with no job, and unable to speak English. To this day, I don’t know how my mom managed to raise 3 kids on her own, still not being able to speak English, but she can fully read and understand it. My mom survived by finding a nanny job, and we lived off foodstamps. In 2013, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and is still going strong. My mom is the strongest woman I know. I look at this picture, and ask myself, what if she had stayed in Colombia and stuck to her career? I look at this picture and think my mom is a hero and the bravest woman I know. 

– AA

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant