The true sadness came after all his siblings had crossed and all that was left was my father. His journey to the land of the free was the roughest, being the oldest sibling, my father did not get the luxury to come on train as all of his family had done. Once his turn was up money had run out, and his only option was crossing the desert. He crossed at night deathly cold, wearing all but a pair of guaraches, on his feet. Soaked from rivers, his journey was far from easy. They had no food, no water, and temperatures during October dropped very low in the desert. He was all but 17 years of age. He still tears up when he discusses that journey. Once in America he was put to work, to pay off the debt he owed to the coyote that crossed him. His brothers all attended school, while his wages were stripped from him to pay for his family expenses, he was given only $20 in the end. His up brining was hard on him, being the oldest, one sacrifices their lives to help better their families. Sadly, amongst his own so called “loving” family he was denied a life and forced to live for others. I am thankful and truly blessed because my father’s past, made him who he is today, and who I am today. I will never have enough time to show how much I truly appreciate all the scarifies he has ever made in his life. As well as how amazing he turned out despite of having the odds stacked against him. Just like the Irish came to America for a better life, but where treated poorly and abused. My father as well came to a land where he was over worked, for no pay at all. 

– NV

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