Why I deserve to go to Heaven. And College.

My Grandfather told me his story; how he came from Mexico with nothing to the United States. He came not only for himself, but also for his children. It was so they could have opportunities he never had. In Mexico, he received only a second grade education. In the U.S. he passed algebra in Adult school. I respect him for his intelligence, but also for his wisdom and Moxie.
Growing up in America, I never truly appreciated the enormous opportunities available to me. People looked at me strangely when I told them I was going to Mexico for spring break, but not to party. My church youth group goes to Mexico every spring break to build homes for Mexican families in need. I jumped at the chance to practice my Spanish and see the country of my ancestors. It turned out to be much more than just an educational opportunity. It seems we take for granted that we will have a safe, comfortable place to live and one day raise a family, though many people in the world do not. There weren’t enough houses built in Tijuana for half of the people living there; the family we built a home for was living in a storage unit the size of a bathroom. The conditions people have to live in are shocking. I couldn’t help wondering what it must have been like for my grandfather. Our youth group slept in tents, but nights in the desert are so cold that I woke up freezing several times each night, empathetic for the families who didn’t have sleeping bags, much less a heater. We started building early the next day, greeted by brown faces as eager as ours to begin the building of their home. First, we leveled the small plot of land and laid the foundation. Although the family didn’t speak English at all, they were very friendly and helpful. I felt like I was also laying a foundation in friendship that day, as the translator. I was like the bridge between them and my youth group, helping them to communicate their thoughts and ideas. In a deeper sense I am like a bridge between an old way of life for Mexicans and a new one as part of society. Talking with the family and playing with their adorable little children felt strangely familiar, like playing with my own little cousins.

I've taken Spanish every year of high school because I wanted to be truly fluent in my family's language. Translating gave me a deeper value for my honors Spanish class. We read Spanish literature and discuss it in Spanish, but translating for children broadened my concept of Spanish and given me insight into English.

I watched Mexican families leave in the morning and walk together down the dirt roads. It felt so good to be helping them, giving back to my people, whose work has made it possible for me to have such a bright future. On the last day, we signed all our names into the wet cement of the door stop. Hugs went all around and it was especially hard for me to say goodbye to the family I felt I was now a part of. Although we had changed their lives so much, we knew we would probably never see them again. Without knowing it, that Mexican family had changed my life too; they forced me to become acutely aware of all the opportunities I have to succeed. I have so many blessings as an U.S. citizen, so I believe it’s important to share those blessings. This spring will be my third year going to Mexico to build a house.




In the background,
A 600 word long lie,
Badly elaborated,

I’m here in the background
Playing my violin, dripping
with corn syrup emotion.

I’m the best kid there ever was,
So here’s my veneer soul to judge,

Don’t send me to hell, or a State
School, maybe I’ll find the money
To save me from perdition
To pay Tuition
to you, to say,

There’ll be a day.
I’ll make money,
just like you.