20th of April 2015
This is a story about boy Miguel and his mother. They were traveling to the United States to the Miguel’s father. Actually, it was not a trip, it was not a trip, but illegal moving from one country to another. All the way they had to be quiet and inconspicuous. I think they were living very poor and the boy’s mother had to work hard for making money for living. His father left them to find a good job and get prepared to their arriving. So, they were full of hope for a better life where they have where to live, what to eat and have a good place to work.
It was not an easy trip as they have to stay in a closed space for a few days. They were limited in food, water and it was not enough space to stretch to feel more comfortable. The most problematic thing was to go to the toilet as they had to use a bottle and a bag for it. The boy was ashamed to do it in front of his mother and even could not talk to her for a while. But his mother was a wise woman and she was doing her best to catch his attention to something else, she gave him a game to play, they were playing cards, they were learning English together, they were telling stories to each other. Miguel and his mother were scared a lot when the bus was inspected by police with a dog, they were afraid to be found. Little boy even saw nightmares about it. His mother was sick and she has to use insulin. After the nightmare Miguel woke up and found that he broke the vial with insulin, and it was the last one. He was very sorry and felt guilty, his mother was crying, but they could not do anything about it. It happens because there was not enough space.
Miguel was a 10-years old boy, but his life was difficult and that is why he understood more than other kids of his age. He was generous, not selfish, he was thinking about his mother and worry about her. He was kind and supportive, he understood that his mother needs his help as much as he needs her help. The mother of Miguel was a strong, brave woman who decided to go on this trip to find a better life for her kid. She had a very big heart and she limited her in everything to save some food and water for her son. But she was sick and when she had no insulin, she fell asleep and never woke up. She was a wise woman and she left an address of her husband to the boy,”just in case” as she told him. She was always thinking about her kid and knew that he has to find his father even if something will happen to her.
I think, that Miguel was a lucky boy, because two news policemen found him. They were behaving very well with him, they gave him food, drinks and they were doing all possible to help him. I was afraid that boy has to be deported. But a policeman who was speaking only English and they could not understand each other with Miguel, could not leave it as it is. He gave all money he had to the boy and let him go. It would cause problems at work for him. But he could not leave all as it is. He wanted to help to the boy to find his father. It is a pity that Miguel did not show he paper with the address of his father to him, maybe they could get there faster. But this story tells that world s full of kind people.
I cannot say if their destiny was easier than immigrants who arrived by ship to Ellis Island, as people ha to wait for a long time there and there were a lot of people on the limited space and a lot of people died there waiting. I know that both variants were challenging for people. But immigrants had no other choice and had to be strong to survive in a new country. And all of them had to take this hard and long trip if they wanted to change their lives.
I believe, that life of the boy would be easier and he will be living as a happy family with his father and honor the memory of his brave mother. And he will give her name to his daughter as he promised her. I think that boy would be happy to live with his father, father will teach him all he knows and he will grow up to become a very good person.
I think I would feel depressed in the limited space of the bus, it would be not enough space for me, it would be no comfortable to sleep, but I believe I would be as strong as Miguel for my mother, because I would understand that it is more complicated for her, to see her kid suffering like this.
I would feel frightened to be in a police station of another country and to not understand the language people speaking to me. I think I would try to explain that I have an address of father and ask to help me with it, but maybe I would be scared as Miguel and could not say a word.
I know for sure I would feel happy at the final destination. After such a hard trip, after so long day of waiting, after the shock of mother’s destiny, I would feel very happy to have a father, to have a person who can defend and understand my language. I would be very happy to start a new life.
