Undergraduate /
Mom-"things were different when I was your age"; Person with significant influence [5]
Question:Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.Throughout my entire life my mom used the same expression to get me to do work: "Las cosas eran distintas cuando yo tenia tu edad". It means "things were different when I was your age," something that always stayed in the back of my mind when I was in school. These words had no meaning to me in my childhood; I always thought she was nagging; yet in reality she was teaching me a vital lesson. When I learned of my family's childhood, I realized how much harder it was for them. That even getting an education was almost impossible. I knew I would have to take everything given to me and make the best of it.
It came as a surprise when my parents decided to visit our family in the Dominican Republic, because we did not have the money. I had not seen many of them since I was a young child, too little to remember their faces or names. Once the tickets where bought, it was as if every family story flew of the shadowy closet that my mom kept safe and sound in her memory. As she told me about her childhood and father, I began to dread the idea that my grandfather would not like me, or that I would not like him. I had heard of his personality through my mother. He was strong, tough, and very traditional. He demanded respect and gave severe punishments to those that did not give it. He loved, but seldom showed it. I was not confident. The days were whizzing by and I would be flying miles to see a family I hadn't seen in years, to meet my grandfather for the first time.
As the plane landed, my stomach filled with tiny ants. My mom was crying and I could not help but feel that twine of light flowing from her heart over us. We were here, finally. I searched, hoping that I would somehow recognize someone, but to no gain. Every face was the face of a stranger; I stuck close to my mom as we walked across the exit. We were all nervous. Then a large group began to shout our way, my mom turned and screeched and then everyone was hugging each other. It was strange and scary and it lasted an hour.
For the weeks that followed, I got to know my entire family, especially my grandfather. My first day helping him on the farm, I had to help him de-feather a chicken. I was scared; I thought somehow the dead chickens would feel the pain or that the chicken's family would come get revenge on me. When I whispered my little secret my grandfather laughed, a wholesome laugh and with a pat on the back told me I was the silliest rabbit he'd ever met. Then he smiled, and showed me how it was done, my first try, I pulled and screamed at the same time. Now some may say that it wasn't an acceptable way to get some quality time with your granddaughter, but I think I learned a lot that day. I helped herd the goats, walk the pig, and feed the baby pigs. I was aching all over by the end, but I learned to let go of my fears. Until then I would run away from goats, scream if a pig got near me, but after one day plucking chickens and such, the fear was gone.
Since that summer, I've visited my family many times and seen my grandfather whenever I can. Ever summer I spend with him and my family I learn more about myself. I learned that I am much more patient than I thought; that I love to experiment and to take risks and adventures. My second summer with my grandfather, I learned of a giant hill somewhere behind his home, and I grabbed a water bottle and camera and headed off, only to discover a giant aqueduct-type system at the top of the hill. It cleaned water, and sent it off to reserves where it would be stored or sent of homes. The water did not come to my grandfather's home, because he lived and still lives in a small wooden hand made house. He built it from the ground up, chopping the wood himself, building the roof. That was more than 30 years ago, and he is still continues to fix it up to this day. He worked hard his whole life, as a farmer. Even at the age of sixty-three, he wakes up before the sun rises, and takes care of his home, farm and family. He's taught me dedication, hard work and perseverance.
I remember him as a quiet old man who told stories of his past. One story I will never forget. When my mom and her siblings where younger, they were extremely poor. When school began, my grandfather bought a pencil and notebook, which he then broke in half. My mom would always get angry because the younger kids would always get the side of the pencil with the eraser. He told me how they would write very small so that the books would last longer and sometimes he couldn't get them more supplies once they ran out.
Meeting my family was one of the greatest things ever to happen to me. My grandfather showed me what my family went through as children. They were poor and lived day-by-day, working and going to school. Sometimes they would not eat because there was not enough for everyone. He worked hard his entire life, looking over more then thirteen kids at one point. His responsibility, determination, and devotion have greatly influenced my person.
After that, I decided that if my parents could overcome the great poverty in which they grew up I could do the same and more. I could follow my dreams. Nothing and no one could stop me. I am intelligent and I have a family that loves me and will support me through it all. There was no doubt left in my mind, I wanted to do what my parents could not do. I wanted to go to college; I wanted to have a future for myself, one that would make me proud. Here was the lesson that my mom had tried to teach me for years: I am someone.