Mother told us how it was in 1969. She and Dad were raising three children in Jamaica. Dad sometimes traveled to the United States as a farm worker. We lived in a tenement yard. A lot of families lived in a big yard in different houses, but they all used the same toilet and kitchen.
Tag: audio available
Remembering Mom
To my beautiful Mom,
Where do I begin, Mom? I hope you can see me every day like you used to. Our deep and endless conversations . . . Will I be able to ever stop these thoughts? Who would ever have dreamed our times together would pass? The impermanence of life was disguised in your endless love. I cherish all those memories.
Death from 6860 Kilometers
My father was 78 years old when I decided to emigrate abroad with my husband for the first time. My father wasn’t too old but not young either.
My Grandfather
I remember my grandfather’s wrinkled, rough hands as he
held mine.
I remember his big hug protecting me.
I remember my feeling inside this hug, his face fresh with mint
from his aftershave.
My Angel
I wish to see you one more time
Come and tell me how you are
Day by day and night by night
I hope to see you in every star
A Missing Piece
Never ever had I thought of making my own breakfast.
Never ever had I thought of cooking my own dinner.
Never ever had I thought of washing my own dishes.
Never ever had I thought of taking care of myself when I am ill.
The Golden Earrings
Twenty-five years ago, my husband gave me a pair of beautiful round golden earrings. It was a gift for Valentine’s Day. Since that day, I have always worn my earrings. My husband would see me with the earrings every day and would tell me, “You liked my gift a lot.”
Life Is Beautiful
I was born in 1993 in Pakistan. I opened my eyes in a family that was rich with love. I had three sisters and one brother. I remember that there was enough food. Our hearts were big, and we gave to others; big and small colorful clothes were all over the house.
On My Way to English Class
It’s Saturday morning. At 9:02, the PATH train takes me to New York City. It’s a 40-minute trip to 33rd Street. Many people are on the same train. They are playing on the phone, listening to music, talking to each other, and taking naps. The train conductor is announcing the station name and opening and closing the doors. What an energetic space!
I’m Sorry, English Is Not My First Language
I looked up “equivocarse” in the dictionary
because I make so many mistakes
in this city, in this language,
that I want to be sure how to err correctly.
Perseverance
In July 2018, I was invited to a meeting by my religious superior in Brazil. He presented a request that the superior of New Jersey had made. He was asking for someone from our congregation to collaborate with them in their mission. He told me, “You could be the best representative to go to the United States because you are multilingual. You know English already.” Immediately, in the following month, they asked me to prepare my documents for the visa. When the process was completed, I left for the U.S.
About My Favorite Sentence
* “Have a nice day.” This is my favorite sentence. Because it’s a magic sentence. Hearing that sentence makes me happy. Some people might wonder why it makes me happy. Because people in countries where this custom is commonplace may not think it is a big deal. Isn’t it wonderful to wish for the happiness …
Accents: The Great Miracle of the Human Voice
I was born with my own sound,
with my accented soul,
low, happy, and sometimes invisible.
Found in Translation: How I Got My Dream Job
When we come to a new place, we always make new friends, and some beautiful stories may happen.
Since I moved to New York City, I have been living in midtown Manhattan, near the East River. In my leisure time, I like walking along the riverside, especially when the weather is nice. Over the river, many seagulls glide over the mirror-like surface of the water. The breeze gently brushes my cheeks, and the special smell combining the river and the ocean mesmerizes me and takes me to the other side of the sea. It is such a soothing place that it made me fall in love with this city.
A Sad Love Story
* After all these years, after all that had happened, today was the beginning of the end. They had not slept the entire night. He tried to change her mind, but she looked convinced and firm about what she wanted. No words and no memories could change her anger: anger with life, anger with the …