#UndocuMom: A story of Maria

The oppressed realities of poverty forced her and my father to leave our native country. She risked her life that night. The same stars that covered her, now lit the cold darkness to the promises of a better life for her children. She’s told me that she remembers crying countless nights missing her mother but reminded herself why she left and the hardships of not being able to feed her children or having a stable home. How as a child she would have to walk over 2 hours just to get a cold Popsicle. How she had to leave school at third grade to help raise her siblings and at times they all shared one egg because they were all treated equally and everyone got a portion. Not having toys wasn’t nearly as harsh as losing her father.

She wanted more us; she still wants more for us.

Today my mother is a proud homeowner and a hard working womyn. Even at 53 years, she continues to work and take care of her family. She drives her grandchildren to school and in those nights of uncertainty while watering her plants, she looks up at the starry night and thinks of us, her three children.

From my mother I’ve learned that if kindness towards others and love for yourself is all you have, then you already won. This is the womyn I admire, she is my driving force. Because of her I know that one day I too will accomplish things that I couldn’t even imagine.

Her courage and love define who I have become, and this is why I want to share with the world who is my #UndocuMom.

Oscar Hernandez