Am I Different? (6)

Estefany Sanabria

July 16, 2018

Blog 6

My short time in New York was a very eye-opening time. It made me think of everything that I’ve been through with my life and the stories that I could share with my peers to make them open their eyes to different perspectives. Before going to New York, a fellow EYA intern and I realized that we live complete opposite lives. I grew up in a single parent household and I am the only EYA intern to have done so. My mother didn’t go to college and she had me when she was 19, I was completely unexpected to her. This EYA intern has 2 parents with some sort of school degree and they have lived in 1 home her whole life. I have moved at least 7 different times. They told me something that will forever stay in my heart, “even though we are so different, we are here together doing the same exact thing.” The odds have never been in my favor but here I am. Even though I see that I am different from everyone, I’m still so happy with the blessings that God has given me. I am thankful for my mother and because she was my only parent, we share such a strong bond, she is my best friend and I truly believe that she is my soul mate. 

In New York, we met a young lady named Katilau Mbindyo. She has one on the most beautiful souls I have ever met. You could tell from the way that she told her story that she was a very passionate person. I’ve recently learned that people’s stories aren’t mine to tell so I won’t tell it, but I wanted to share that she impacted me so much, I finally met a person that I could relate to. When my mother and I Immigrated to the United States, I was only a 1 year old. I didn’t have a choice of whether I wanted to live in Guatemala or in the United States. I’m glad my mom made the decision she made for us. Because of her, I have a high school education, I am attending college for free, at a community college, but it’s college nonetheless. 

When I finally got the chance to visit Guatemala in the summer of 2013 after 14 years of not visit ever, I felt like I was finally a part of a community. I didn’t recognize anyone but the whole village we lived in recognized me and it was so surreal, I felt like a famous person. Everyone welcomed us with hugs and lots and lots of food. My father, who doesn’t recognize me as his daughter, went away for the month that we were there but I got to meet some of his family and they treated me like a daughter they have been waiting for. Everyone shared how proud they were of me for all of my accomplishments and I know that my mom missed her home and I was happy that she was able to be back and enjoy what she once was and had. 

I have never hated my life or have wished that it was different, if I had the choice of changing things, I wouldn’t because I am so proud of who I am but I’m even more proud of my mom because even though she didn’t have a college education, she pushed me to be a successful young lady and I am always glad to share my life with her because it’s because of her that I have everything that she never did and I will never ever take advantage of that.