MISSED DIRECTION

Isbeth Bustos

10th Grade • Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

Breathe, breathe. Take a moment and breathe. Those were the words my mom told me on March 22, 2010, as she let tears down her face. It was my 6th birthday.

They say that after the rain, there’s always a rainbow. Unfortunately for me, my rainbow never arrived.

Two beautiful and loving birds were in the direction of their home, where the rest of their family stayed.

It was going to be my present, my sister’s arrival next to two of my favorite human beings, but it all went downhill.

This experience brought a lot of terrible consequences. My anxiety and panic attacks kicked in as I encountered a police officer, my eating and sleeping habits got worse, and sweet dreams turned into nightmares.

All this turned me into a shy, scared and sad six-year-old kid.

As I grew, this experience made me into an independent, kind, loving, fearless, and humble girl who stands up for what she thinks and knows is right. That girl loves to stand with immigrant families in the fight against racism, discrimination, and other injustices.

I am living through hard times, standing every time I fall, in hopes of becoming a lawyer who helps immigrant families reunite with their loved ones.

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“Keep your head up, because there’s always a solution to everything, except death.” Wise words of my old man. I keep that in mind when I’m going through a hard time. 07-17-2017, reunited after seven years of pain and fear.

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