Literary Arts Magazine Spring 2010 | Page 51

The Day I Left My Country By Deybis Alvarez In January 2000, I left El Salva- pray to God. He is The Only One who can make this possible.” She agreed. dor behind to come to the United It took me 22 days to journey to States. I was 22 years old, and I had never been separated from my mom. It my final destination, which was Long Island, New York. I arrived at Hempstead, was so hard for me to leave my home, New York. I came to live with one of my my family, and my friends, but I had a dream that God would let me get to the older brothers. There has not even United States. If God would make this possi- “I did not know if I been one day that I go to ble, I said, “I am going would return to bed, or I wake up, when I not think about my mom. to work hard to help my country, if I docannot imagine my life I my mother to get a would die on my without her. She is my reabetter life.” I remember that way to the United son for living. Every day I prayed to day I tried to be States…” God. My prayer was, “God, strong. When the time to leave came, I hugged and kissed please let me see my mom again.” God made everything possible. I left my my mom, and I had a lot of things in mind that I wanted to say to her. I had country on January 10, 2000, and I a lump in my throat, and I could not say came back on January 25, 2002. God ananything to her. Words would not come swered my prayers. Whatever is imposout. I had different feelings because I sible for us, is possible for Him. God has did not know what was going to happen. been with me all the time. He is the most important thing in each one of my I did not know if I would return to my country, if I would die on my way to the dreams, and he has made t he difference. By myself I would never make any United States, or if I would arrive of my dreams come true. I do not know safely to this country. Nobody knows what your dreams are, but I know somewhat is going to happen on the way to one who can make them come true. the U.S. When people decide to leave their native countries, there are many things that could happen. The last thing Teacher: Mr. Price mother said to me was, “Son, I want you Level 7 Evening to go only for two years, and then come Fall 2009 back.” I replied to her, “Mother, please, 50