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writing/memoir
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When I was eight years old my parents got divorced and my mother, to change our lives, moved
to the Bronx from Puerto Rico
When we first arrived, things were difficult because we didn't speak English
and we had trouble adapting to city life. We were used to small towns
that weren't so noisy. For these reasons we werent sure if we wanted to be in New York City.
As the years went by, things got better
for us. We learned English and my mother got a job as a social worker
in a welfare office. She was tremendously dedicated to her job and our
family, always making sure the house was in good order, we did our chores
and were in good health. However, this success, did not last for long. One day some guys with guns broke in the welfare office demanding money from everyone there. Luckily my mother happened to be walking into the office and she saw what was going on, before the gunmen could see her. She ran to the staircase, but tripped and broke her leg. She made her way upstairs to some other offices and told her coworkers what she had witnessed. Her best friend worked there as well so she helped her, and took her to the hospital. |
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On their way to the hospital all she did was cry and talk about what she had seen: one man holding a lady by her neck and demanding money, threatening to kill her if anyone moved. My mother was in shock, saying she thought that only happened in the movies. |
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She was traumatized by the experience, and couldn't work. For about a year, she went to counseling. Because of her broken leg, she was immobilized. While recovering, my mother focused on finding something to do. She had to apply for welfare, and received SSI, Supplemental Security Income, because of her disability. But it was a very small amount of money, and it barely sustained the family. My mother had remarried, and her new husband, Peter Ruiz, helped her out financially and emotionally, as she recuperated. It was a stressful time, but my stepfather bought us clothes, helped pay the rent and put food on the table. As I grew older, my mother's health improved although she was never able to work again. During this time we strove not to settle for less and were able to maintain a normal life |
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