1984, My 1st American Christmas

Last week, Cruz's "Yo Puedo Leer" Preschool class at La Casa had their holiday party. It was a fun time with the families of the program to celebrate a good semester. The teacher asked the parents to share what Christmas means to them, and maybe a special family tradition they think about during Christmas. Maybe because I was surrounded with other immigrants, but my mind immediately shot to 1984... my first American Christmas.

In Santa Cruz, Bolivia it doesn't snow on Christmas, it doesn't snow ever. I was excited to come with my parents and two brothers to visit Saginaw, MI for vacation again and this time see SNOW...

Andres and I sledding

I don't remember what I wanted for Christmas. I remember the excitement of the flights and the holiday buzz. I remember none of us spoke English but my mom. I remember hiding from my American cousins. I remember my grandpa making a huge pile of snow for us to play in with his plow truck.

I remember that our family vacation, turned into a permanent move.

In 1984 the economy was terrible in Bolivia and it was suffering from hyper inflation (NYT Article) at a peak of 20,000 percent! The political scene was just as bad, and drug trade issues made travel difficult. Your money was worth less in the afternoon sometimes than it was in the morning. Yep it was bad and 1985 ended up even worse. My mom was pregnant, and my parents knew our lives would be better if we stayed in the USA.

I don't remember what they said to us. I remember that Miguel and I stayed behind and lived with my grandparents. I remember my parents leaving with my younger brother to sell all our belongings. I remember wishing I got to say bye to my family members. I remember missing my dog Tony.

I remember starting the first grade, and the only subject I understood was math.

I realized that it is now 30 years since my first American Christmas. My family sacrificed to be here, my dad went from a respected businessman to a paperboy and roofer. My mom went from being a former missionary and local teacher, to needing assistance from others.

My experience growing up has come full circle. I now work at a center like the one that helped my family in Saginaw. I am reminded daily of the importance of community support. I know that how we welcome people, and help those less fortunate says a lot about who we are.

So to answer the question from the La Casa program, more than anything at Christmas I am reminded what a beautiful gift opportunity is... and what a gift of opportunity that Christmas 1984 was for my family. Thank you mom and dad for making the hard decision to accept the gift. Love You.

Tomorrow I will celebrate my 30th American Christmas. Tomorrow my daughter Marisa will celebrate her first American Christmas. I also hope we have snow, and now I realized why it has always meant so much to me to see a white Christmas, a White Snowy American Christmas.

I hope I can gift my family and as much opportunity as my parents gave me.