Dear Mamá y Papá,

Today, as I filed to graduate, I felt proud of myself for having made it this far. But, this accomplishment is not solely mine - it's yours as well. Growing up, I never truly understood all the sacrifices you both had made/were making for my sisters and I. I never truly appreciated it. I thought everyone lived a life similar to ours. It wasn’t until I took my first Chicanx Studies class that I started to be more aware and humble of the many blessings I had—all thanks to you both.

Many of my peers shared their struggles, as Latinxs, that they had to face. Struggles that included lack of income, lack of support, racial/ gender discrimination, feelings of inferiority, etc. Struggles that I never had to deal with. Never did I have to question when my next meal was, nor did I have to feel what it was like to feel discriminated against based on my race or gender. Instead, I grew up in a supportive household, instilled with the idea that I could be anything and do anything I wanted. I grew up proud to be a Latinx and more so proud to be a woman. And for that I thank you both.

Thank you for immigrating to the U.S., I know it was not an easy decision to make. Leaving behind not only your parents and siblings, but the place you called home and coming to a country that made you feel inferior for being Latinxs and not speaking the language. Pa, thank you for working two to three jobs that weren’t the best, but that you endured just so that my sisters and I wouldn’t be in need of anything. Because of you, I learned the true value of hard work. Ma, thank you for being a stay-at-home mom; I know it’s not what you would have wanted, but because of you, I learned the meaning of what a strong woman is. Individually, you’ve both faced struggles that I’ll never truly be able to know the extent of. Together, you’ve faced even more struggles that have not weakened you, but made you stronger. Every day, I am more and more in awe of you both. The stacks were against you from the very beginning, yet it did not stop you. Instead, it made you stronger.

With all the sacrifices you two have made, some of which I know I’ll never know about, you’ve never asked for anything in return, except for one thing. As long as I can remember, all you’ve ever asked of us is to get a proper education, a college degree. So as I walk the stage in a couple of months, I want you to know that all the struggles and sacrifices were worth it. I can honestly say I would not be here if it wasn’t for the two of you. I want you two to breathe a sigh of relief because you finally have one less thing to worry about. Your last daughter, the baby of the family, your nena, has graduated.

So from the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything. I love you both.

Your Daughter,

Carolina aka “Carito”