Dedication To Parents of Graduates
By
Yolanda Barrera
When I was a child, I dreamt that I would be a teacher, a doctor an attorney.
That I would be someone special.
Someone that my parents would feel proud to say, “This is my daughter”.
When I was a child I heard “This life is not for you “mi’ja”
“It is very hard to pick oranges” “Study mi’ja, study so you do not suffer like us.”
When I was a child I suffered
Seeing my parents’ sacrifices for me.
Seeing how tired they were after work.
Seeing their anxiety about life.
I knew they had been robbed of a better future
because of the discrimination,
the poverty and the lack of education.
Today, I say, Mom and Dad, you have given me everything
My life, My intelligence, My strength, My desire to be better.
On this day, I am so proud of you for what you have accomplished.
While I am the one who graduated,
This is your honor.
Because of you, I fought, persevered, And overcame all obstacles.
Congratulations Mom and Dad.