Dear younger me.
I know you’re just starting 5th grade and you’re stuck inside talking with everyone through a screen instead of being at school. It gets better, don’t worry. Today is the last Monday of my summer bridge. Do you know why I have to come? You would probably never guess, so I’ll tell you. I’m starting my freshman year very soon at De la Salle. And Well guess what that is. It’s a private school! We got a scholarship, specifically the Daniel Murphy Scholarship fund. These past weeks we’ve been taking classes to get ready for high school with them! I graduated salutatorian for the class of 2024 at namaste. The next four years are so worth it, so don’t start slacking! We’ve made some amazing friends and met some amazing people, but don’t worry we still talk to some of the other girls.
But that’s not the main thing I wanted to talk to you about. I know sometimes it feels embarrassing to translate for your parents or when someone asks them something and you have to answer for them. Sometimes you wish your parents knew how to speak English so they could speak for themselves. It’s not fun to have to stand up for them when they don’t understand what’s going on, but don’t feel that way. Do you know that they would go to the moon and back for you if they could? At times, being Hispanic doesn’t feel the best. Wishing you could grow up like the white kids you see on tv with a mansion and rich parents. How you wish you had light skin like them and not to be as tan. To feel comfortable in your own skin with your own culture.
I want you to remember this main piece of advice: You are enough. Whenever you feel ashamed of being Hispanic or of your family, remember they love you so much. When you feel like you could have done more, know you did everything you could. If you feel like you could be prettier, you are so beautiful or when you feel dumb like you’re not smart enough, we are always top of the class. I want you to always remember you are enough and you will always be enough. There’s going to be moments when you feel like this but we did this all on our own. Of course our parents have helped us on the way. But for the most part we have done all of this on our own. With only our own strength to keep us motivated.
Even with all of this, keep doing your best. Keep doing everything in your power to be better. You’ll never be perfect. I’ve learned to accept that. One thing you can do is always strive to be better. Remember you are enough but if you can, do more push yourself to do it. If you have to spend a few hours doing your work don’t get lazy and do it.
I know how you are, especially right now. I know being online can make it feel like you don’t have to do any work but you still need to do it. You made it this far all because you never gave up. Because you gave it all in every sport or class you had so don’t stop now. Keep going!
Now you may be asking. How am I supposed to do it all by myself without giving up? Although I said that everything you’ve accomplished is because of you. Because all your accomplishments are yours and only yours. But you are not alone, you still have the support of your family and your friends, and you still have people who care for you and love you. So don’t give up no matter what it takes please don’t give up. Remember to always keep a smile on your face and never give up.
Sincerely,
Esme
Photo Credits: Esmeralda Reyes
Esmeralda (Esme) Reyes- DeLaSalle- DMSF Class of 2028