I am from Baseball Cards and WWE wrestlers, where if you had John Cena, you were the cool guy during recess. Knockout and Kickball were the big events down by the playground.
I am from a big town, where beaches are minutes away and the big apple is just a car ride away. A town with a well-known history from the houses to the deli’s. A town where one can argue who has the best pizza for hours on end.
I am from Hispanic descents, where is you didn’t dance bachata or merengue, you were the odd one out. Descents who worked their butt off every day for their children to live a healthy and safe life.
I am from the smell of Spanish cooking every Sunday morning when I wake up after a long week of school and work. From rice and beans, pernil and empanadas that grandma makes every weekend when my family comes over to the flan and coffee we have for dessert. The cooking all my friends beg my mom to make for them because they never had cooking that good before.
I am from red, white and blue, where freedom is as good as the American dream.
I am from taking care of my brother, whether it be driving him to school or cooking him dinner while my mother worked for the roof we live under. From bringing him to his practices to getting the both of us bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches Sunday morning, I am a role model to him and will do anything in the world for him.
I am from a place where people believe I come from wealth when in reality that isn’t the case. A place where celebrities live both east and west of me.
I am from moving trucks and new houses, because finding an affordable home in the same school district is as hard as finding a needle in a haystack. From the saying “Everything happens for a reason.” Because there’s a better chance in getting into medical school then finding the right home.
I am from the name of a grandfather who I know is always watching me and is proud even though we never met.
I am from a single mother who’s possibly the strongest person I know. A mother who starts work at 7 in the morning and doesn’t end until 6 at night and still has time to watch The Voice late at night. A mother who after a divorce, sending a child to school and preparing to send another one off to school, still smiles at the end of the day.
I am from the saying “Work hard every day to have more than what you have now.” That million-dollar home I see driving to work every day can be mine one day. With hard work, good work ethic and a strong mind, anything can be achieved if you want it to be.