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Elsa:A Tribute

What can I say?She's my mom. And if you know me, you know my mom. We are the same in some ways and yet very different in others.
She had me at the age of fifteen and came to the Main Land with four kids and not speaking one lick of English. Determined to start a better life for herself and her children. She left all that was familiar to her...her family, her friends, her country to escape abuse and pain. Coming to New York she thought that she would encounter something better, only to receive some of the same that she had left. Yet through it all she didn't give up and she definetly did not give us up. Though I am sure that it would've been an easier life for her not to have four children tagging along.
She was your typical mom...chancleta (sometimes "la correa) and all. She had our cultural sayings and there was always arroz, habichuelas and pollo frito...she tried to make the best of what was thrown at her. I would see her cry many times but after a good cry she would get back up again continue fighting. She was never a quitter. And she still isn't...believe me!
There were many times as a young girl and sometimes as a young woman that I wanted to be different from her. I wanted to be of a different culture. I wanted to run away from who I was and who I belonged to. But now, I am thankful for the woman that my mom demonstrated for me to model. She gets me mad sometimes but I will not deny her the "props" that she deserves. She is my mom...strong and proud. And so, I am too, strong and proud. I don't quit quite so easily if at all. And I love cooking my Puerto Rican food and talking my "spanglish." I too find myself walking around "con una chancleta." And I remember. I remember running under the bed trying to hide from her after I lost "respeto." Man, I was hiding for my life. She was trying to teach me something even then.
She really was slow to anger. She taught me so much and is still doing it today. We may not agree on many things and we may do things differently. But she is my mom and I love her.
Thank you, Mami for never giving up on me and for always thinking the best. For fighting for me and always having my back. Thank you for sacrificing your life for mine and for always instilling in me strength and perserverance. For always being there in sime of the most hardest times of my life. For creating a home where my family and I love going to to get away. For your love and shoulder. For always being willing to listen and taking my side too. And for telling me the truth even when I did not want to hear it.
I love you and I honor you. You are a woman of strength and I am proud to call you my mami!
Ruty

Comments

  1. DeeMay 8, 2010 at 6:38 PM

    "Beautiful" very nice words. I'm your Mami is so very proud of you too..xox's

    ReplyDelete

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