You laughed, cried lived and grew up at home
You were familiar with the streets & knew when to be home
At some point – you realized home wasn’t enough
For whatever reason, you had to leave
Perhaps there was never enough food on the table
Or universities wouldn’t allow you in because you are a woman
Maybe people would regularly die in your block
So you packed a suitcase or two, looked back at home –
Didn’t whisper “see you later” instead you said “good-bye”
You went to a foreign land
Foreign to you – but you were called the foreign one
You tried learning a new language all while balancing how to survive and fitting in
Most days were hard
You’d take the same streets back home
Except this time – it wasn’t home
You’d call your family on the phone, bragged a little about how there was hot water when you’d shower
You would cling to that hope that you’ll see them again soon
You’d talk to the grocery store cashier, hearing someone behind you mocking your accent
Sometimes money was tight, so you’d take the night shift to make ends meet
You never complained or gave up
That’s why the universe sent you someone to share your solitude with
So you’d call your family again on the phone, bragging how you met someone special
The years passed and you began to have a family
You made sure your kids had the things you probably didn’t have growing up
You taught them two languages, you taught them manners and the importance of school
You taught them the importance of hard work but never revealed the 14-hour shifts you’d take
Maybe we don’t thank you enough, but we are so thankful for you
We see your hard work, and will never truly understand the things you have been through
But we see it, and we love you
Thank you
