My parents can have dreams

By Daniela Lomeli

My parents had a glimpse of the American dream: Everything is expensive, everything is money, and a dream home is out of reach. My mother was born in America, but right after she was born, my grandparents took her back to Mexico. Although she is a citizen of America, her whole life was spent in Guadalajara. My father had to come to America but quickly got everything set up due to marrying my mother, who is a citizen. Fast forward, they got married once they got pregnant with my sister and married on March 28, 2000. 

I never realized how expensive life was here until I started working, and maybe the realization will hit me more once I'm an adult with more responsibilities. No one taught my parents how to be parents or the easy route to life! Even so, I can still say I'm a proud daughter, and I'm grateful every day they are my parents. They didn’t know how to be parents and i can imagine how hard it was not having money at the time and having to raise a child. They had my sister when they came to America, having no idea the struggles they were about to face, and still, they were the best parents. They were there, and they were stressed but still smiled or joked around. I love my parents.

 My heart would always ache when we passed ‘rich’ houses, and my parents just stared and looked at each other. My sister and I just stayed quiet because we couldn't say anything. I'm not sure what they think when they see these houses if they see a future or if they believe it's possible. Even so, I really want them to still hold on to their dreams and have hope! I still believe and hope things will work out. 

My parents are the most hardworking people! My dad does insolation, and he comes home extremely tired. He is in his 40s, and that is around the age when adults get tired and drained; this gap is really hitting my dad! My mother has high blood pressure, which causes her to get dizzy or to have extreme headaches. She cleaned houses almost her whole life, and this has brought her so much stress! She still doesn't stop having hope and smiling, she tells me she knows life will work out! My parents never complain; they strive and they try and work hard because they want to set an example for my sister and me that life is worth living and that working hard, having a good mindset, and thanking god every day will help us with success and guidance. 

I love my parents for showing me how beautiful life is, three room apartment, small kitchen, two bathroom, small living room. A small apartment full of so much love, a scent of food made by my loving mother, and the TV on as my father watches Chivas play! The dogs barking, my sister studying and typing away, and me watching my show in my room. That’s our peace just us under one roof doing what we love most and every few minutes checking in! I love my family, I love being able to be me, I love the food my mom cooks, my dad's loud laughs and screams during the game, the loud barks, and the constant typing my sister does. I love my parents for blessing me with a good family, with a stable home, with hope, and with support. I am happy I am hopeful that things will take a turn for the better. 

In February, we got into a car accident. In 2024, we had a very hard two years, losing my grandfather, losing the car my dad almost paid off, and my sister getting into a car accident as well. It was rough really rough, but we stayed together and had that hope it all worked out. god granted us a new car for both my family and my sister. my family grieving over my grandfather by watching videos or telling beautiful memories we shared. 

It was hard, but we pulled through; we reminded each other that it was going to be okay and that god was on our side. We prayed, and we talked about how much gratitude we had for one another. Despite the circumstances at the time, we tried to remain positive. Now, the reason why I mention this is because my father had said something that honestly left me thinking, this was right after everything had happened. “Lo siento por no darles todo, una casa, or la fortuna de poder hacer mas y vivir mejor.” [I'm sorry for not being able to give you guys everything, or the fortune of having more and living better].  My sister and I were honestly in shock because although we weren't in a big house or out of San Jose in a plane somewhere, we were rich! We have a loving family that is centered by god, and we have one another, and that could never be replaced by anything. My father feels as if he failed, but little does he know I've never been happier, and I've never been more proud. 

Keep in mind that we live in San Jose, which is expensive, as we do live in the bay, but still, my parents were able to have a stable home. What's not to be proud of? Some people have the hope to live in our reality! Im a proud daughter for having my parents and i will show them that everything is possible and worth it, me and my sister try hard everyday if its in school, work, etc to show my parents they did a good job in raising us and to prove to them that it will all work our for us. I can imagine how beautiful the future will be for us. 

Challenges, happiness, peace, and sadness are all bound to come some day, but that won't stop me from shining bright when it's dark! I trust in god, I have a good mentality and hope because I believe in life and in myself, in my parents. Without them, I would never have such big dreams! I see this for my future I see everything being great. Los amo mami y papi <3

For the Warrior Times, this is Daniela Lomeli Lopez