The Blood In Her Veins

            The woman sat proudly with her small daughter in her lap as they watched the parade pass through the street of their small town. It brought a unique smile to her face as she watched her culture, their culture, be put proudly on display. It was a yearly event and sadly this would be the last for her and her family. Her husband had left to America many months to find work and now he was finally sending for the family. They would be leaving first thing in the morning. While she was glad that her family would have the opportunity for a great life in a great country, she was sad that her young daughter would miss out on growing up in a village with such pride and strong culture. She regrets that her daughter will not have the opportunity to have the wisdom of the elders in town to guide her and tell her stories of older times. Most likely growing up in America, she will assimilate with the rest of the population and with that will lose some of that pride and culture. But at least she will be there with the girl, to be a guiding influence and to remind her of whom she is and where she comes from. To remind her of the strong and ancient blood that runs through her veins. She will be there to tell the girl stories of her own childhood and stories of her homeland, history and fables. She will teach her to be proud of her heritage, because that is what makes her beautiful and strong. And one day, she has faith, that her daughter will make the trip back to their small village, their real home, and see it all for herself.

She Got Out of the Car….

 

…..and looked around. The tall overpowering building felt sheltering over her head. Students and business men and women walking quickly up and down the sidewalks. Half-café, low fat, lattes and mochas in hand as they hurried to their destinations. This was her new life, her new beginning. She spent most of her life in suburban hell with her dad and now after graduating high school four months earlier she found New York City waiting for her with open arms. And she was absolutely ready to run right into them. Ever since she was a little girl she dreamt of being here. She remembered her mother’s stories of the bright lights and streets overflowing with culture and life. And now finally, after busting her hump for the last twelve years she was accepted into a small liberal arts school right in the center of the city. As far as she was concerned, her life was finally about to begin.