Treat others the way you want to be treated. Most people forget those words. My dad didn’t seem to care about that when he used to beat my mom and I every day. My first memory I have is watching my mom come out of her room bleeding from her eye after taking a few punches. I was five. The next memories are me getting hit with a belt after getting a question wrong while doing my homework while hearing that I was stupid.
On a Friday afternoon when I got home from school I discovered three bags packed. My mom grabbed my two little brothers and I. We got in a car and drove to the airport. We were leaving our home to come to the United States where my dad had been for the last two years. I was 12 years old when the world I knew had been ripped from me. My family, my friends, my home. I didn’t know a single word in English, for the next three years I was bullied for it. The pattern I once had seen, started to happen again. My mom had bruises and cried most days. AMERICA the land of the free and home of the brave (I said to myself)! I got out of the room and confronted my dad. We got in a fist fight, but after that night he never laid a hand on anyone.
Coming out was one of the few times I have felt freedom in my life. I didn’t have to hide or be ashamed of who I wanted to love. Being raised catholic and being the only girl of three kids did not go well. I had to move out of the house at the age of 16. My family completely cut ties with me for two years. I was alone in the world. Now I have a great relationship with my parents and my whole family. We tell each other I LOVE YOU any chance we get. Life is too short to not love and be loved by other humans.
I have experienced racism, physical abuse, mental abuse, heartache, depression, suicidal thoughts, rejection and many more unpleasant feelings. Fast forward to the present as I look back at my life, I wouldn’t trade/change any of it. All those experiences have made me the person I am today. A human longing to be part of something bigger than myself. A human filled with love for the world, a light that wants to shine in others’ gray skies to bring them joy. A voice that fights for others that can’t. A shoulder/rock for someone that’s lost. I want to be hope in humanity.
You are not alone! Be proud of who you are <3
