I AM CALIFORNIA
- Kristan Lumague
- Riverside, CA
- UNITED STATES, 9-10-1991
My grandma is 74 years old. She grew up in the Philippines had a husband who ran out on her leaving her with three daughters. She was a teacher at St. Paul University. If you know anything about the Philippines you would know that teaching wasnt a high paying job and raising three girls in a third world country is not easy. She; my mother, my tita (aunt, tia) Victoria and Tita Teressa all lived in a small house in Tuguegarao (Too-Geg-a-roah) Philippines. She said that she took her daughters everywhere, that she remained very faithful and went to church every Sunday, had her daughters in bible study and remained positive that the Lord would take care of her kids and herself. My aunts through the years were able to go to College, my grandmother working as a teacher still, my mother getting into the Nursing profession, Tita Vic as a teacher and tita Tes as a business woman.
In 1980 my mom was the first to get her visa to get to the States. She flew to Texas. My grandmother did not want to see her go but knew that my mother would never forget where she came from, she would never abandom her duties to her family back home. My mom soon met my dad who was also fresh from the Philippines. He was a aerodynamical engineer and soon to be in the Air Force.
In 1985 They Came to California. In 1985 they got married and in 86 they had their first child. In 89 They had me. In 91 they had my sister, the same year my grandma was finally able to come down. My mom had kept her promise. She said she would never leave her mom like her father. I asked my grandma what went through her mind for the 11 years my mom was gone? She said she at times felt unfaithful because of the corrupt Philippine goverment. They make it so hard to get a visa. If you have the right amount of money for an interview the price is always right. My grandmother still to this day, prays the rosery every day, she watches her daily mass and always prayed to thank God for the goods and the bads in life and in return she said he blessed her. She was able to do something so many people only wish for back home. She was able to come to the states, she was able to see all her childrem grow up, was able to see her grandchildren and even be a fan of the LAKERS.! haha...
I asked her if the hard work was worth it. If this country is really what she thought, if it was really up to par, if it was really a dream come true. She smiled and said yes. She said this country is great, she said theres no place like home..... As she sat across me, i asked the simple question How does it feel to be here in the states? She smirked and simply replied Its a dream come true All the years of tragedy Three kids, 1 woman 11 years of waiting 1980 to 1991 and a dream come true The metal bird landed Spetember 1991 was the time.. Philippines to the US Leave a home to Make a Home 1991 til now 2008 and She said it still feels like a dream a 5 Year survivor of cancer and being here is still a dream... I asked her.. Any advice from your time to my time? From you to me? For Me from you? Pray to God and Never lose Faith The Right roads in life are covered with uncertainty But the right roads can always be uncovered by the right people she said... Never forget who you are and where you come from... Hard works leads to a better day.. a Better day where your dreams come true...