y father is a wonderful man. When I wrote the first story about my father, he was 78 years of age. I feel very blessed to be his daughter. Dad is now 86 years old, and sharper than ever. He still cooks for himself and cleans his own house and pays his bills. He drives his car short distances. It really is awesome when I go to his house to visit and to check on him how happy he is to see me and I love sitting down talking to him because you can talk to him about anything and he's right on point, never missing a beat. I love the way he makes me laugh and some of the things he says just crack me up, and when I bring up something from my childhood, he always remembers what I am talking about. My heart is just filled with joy that we can share moments like this. It just amazes me how he just loves life and how he loves his family. Dad, you are the light of my life. I thank you always for being there through the good times and the not so good times. I thank you for your love, patience, but most of all I thank you for being my father, my friend, my Dad.

In the fall of 1944, at midnight, on November 14, fifteen soldiers attacked the cities; from the noise of the attackers, the people woke up. The soldiers gave the people twenty minutes to pack up and leave the country. In that twenty minutes, the soldiers put the people in a big truck and took them to a train station. In the animal wagon at the train station, the soldiers put the people, into the animal wagon. They put females, males, and children in the same wagon, with no comfort inside the wagon.

They drove the animal wagon from in the fall through the winter. People in the wagon were dying from cold and hunger. The wagon was just stopped in a place where there had been war, where there were holes. They left the people who had died there without making a funeral, because Tthey didn’t have time to do a funeral because in Russia there was a new president named Stalin. And he, Stalin, made this decision for people.

30,000 people landed in Uzbekistan, and 16,000 people landed in Kyrgyzstan, and 40,000 people landed in Kazakistan. But they were the ones, those who landed in these countries, who survived; this does not count the ones who were lost or who died.

From 1944 until 1956, the people couldn’t change their states to see their relatives, because Stalin didn’t let them, and he didn’t give them rights to move. The people had to stay where the soldiers had left them.

In 1989, angry Uzbek mobs attacked the homes of the Turks. In the face of the escalating violence, most of the Turks population moved east to Russia, leaving behind their homes, going to their new life with nothing in their hands. Just after this move, the Soviet Union collapsed and broke into many individual nations. For Turks, it was a significant problem, because this left then without any security of ties to any country. This essentially left the Turks stateless, and without the protection of a country.. In Russia the people were living in fear. Turks stayed hidden in their homes, just for not having a passport or any document that can identify them legally in this country. America was the only way to help their families to have a better life: kids can go to school, adults can have a job to support the families, and they can have documents and not be a “no one” in life.

Many years and much more problems did not affect their culture or religion. But living in America gives them more freedon freedom and happiness. Some people still have their relatives who are in Russia, or in Uzbekistan for seven or eight years. And now they have just one problem, and that is distance. But they believe that they can see them more! They just need to wait a little time to get their documents.

I hope the new generation will remember their past. I am really proud of some of our teenagers who want to share their history with another people who have different religions or cultures.

y family is one of the craziest you ever want to meet. One time, we were living with my grandmother. My cousin and I were sitting downstairs and started hearing strange noises from my grandmother’s room. So, we went to find out what the noises were. As we went up the steps, the noises got louder and louder. When we got into my grandmother’s room, we saw that the attic door had come open, and bats were flying around the room.

So, my cousin and I shut the door and ran down the steps into the kitchen, got some brooms, and went back to kill the bats. We started swinging the brooms around. We killed a few, but one of the bats got in my cousin’s hair. She ran out of the room screaming, and I ran after her shutting the door behind me. She was still screaming when we got downstairs. Then my mom came home, and she asked my cousin what she was screaming about! My cousin screamed, "There’s a bat in my hair!" My mom said, "What are you talking about, there’s no bat in your hair!" So, we told my mom what had happened.

We all went back up to my grandmother’s room, and there were bats all over the room. So we went and got some more brooms. At that time, my time my two uncles showed up. They grabbed brooms and mops, and we were all up there swinging at the bats. All you could see were brooms, mops, and bats flying everywhere. One of the bats flew into my mom’s hair, and she jumped around until she got it out. We killed all of them. Then we went out to eat and had fun and talked about how weird the whole thing was.

arriage was a mistake. I was sixteen years old, and I was too young to know what marriage means. I had three beautiful daughters. The marriage didn’t work out so we went our separate ways.

I had to raise my daughters by myself. I was young, but I did the best I could with the little education I had. I didn’t finish high school, so I had to take some jobs I didn’t want. I wanted to go back to school to get my GED, but I had to wait until my girls were grown.

My daughters were my life. I didn’t want them to make the same mistakes I made. I saw that they finished high school. Clare is working at a hospital in Williamsburg, VA. She wants to get her nursing degree. Clare is going back to school to do just that. Beverly is a nurse at the Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, VA. Laverne is still in the Air Force. She is thinking about going back to college to get her nursing degree as well. All three of my daughters have good jobs and good lives now.

Now that they are grown, I have started a new life. I am going back to school to get my GED. It gets hard sometimes, but I will not give up. There is an old saying: “If you want something bad enough, you will work hard towards your goals.” I will succeed in getting my GED.

am the son of Gulam Daud. I am from Kabul, Afghanistan. I finished 12 grades in Afghanistan, Kabul in 1986. After school my job was in the business ministry for ten years.

I went to live in Russia. I worked in Krasnadar Market. I was selling cassette players, umbrellas and other things.

After ten years on November 6, 2008, I came to the USA and Charlottesville, VA. I am married. I have three children, two daughgters and one son. My daughter goes to Buford School and my small daughter goes to Venable School. My mother died and my father works in Kabul in electricity and my son is still at home. Thank you.

y name is Jacqueline Braden. I live in Williamsburg, VA. I’m thirty-eight years old and the mother of two girls. I have worked many jobs, but the best job of all is King’s Mill Food Mart.

It’s a small little store where we sell a lot of things to people. We sell food, meat, and make a lot of homemade stuff. We are what you call a “Mom & Pop” store. I meet people from all over the world. We have the same people come in every day. It’s like one big family. When one person has sadness, we all do. We try to help each other out. People come from other cities every day just to eat our special sandwiches and to have homemade conversation. My boss, Linda, has had the store for over ten years. She takes the time to talk to each customer, and we do, too. Some of these people have become the family that I never had.

came from Korea one month ago.
I live with my husband.
I wanted to have a baby.
I am going to have a new family.
I found out I am going to have a baby one week ago.
It’s name is Prin or Gles.
Before pregnancy I eat often Pringles.
I will be happy because I am going to have Prin or Gles.
When I think about the baby, I smile.

er intentions were to be a good mother
because the father never bothered.
Left alone to nurture and protect.
Never will she neglect or disrespect.
So they stated out in a local housing project.
Never would she forget the $15 checks sent,
in total disrespect.

Food, drink,
sometimes she thought she would sink.
So quick she had to think,
‘What would you do if your seed had a need?’
in this world full of greed and misdeeds.
The price of a good life only left strife
when she would sneak away in the night
to bring back what was a God given right.

But they say,
"She took her freedom light,"
when she would creep out of s
ight, late in the night.
Crack houses and corners
selling nickels, dimes and quarters
all for her daughter who adored her.

Off to the mall
for lunch and Jordans
without the life style
she couldn’t afford ‘em.
The smile of her chile
will help her go that extra mile.
Rent paid, fridge packed
off to school wit’ her little back pack.

Now single mom gets to lay back.
Knowing in her mind the odds were stacked.
And as she lay I hear her say,
"How did my life end up this way?"
But proud to say
the child’s at UCLA studying law today.

Showing her child love
a mother nurturing,
she would never change a thing.
Evidently she offered a chance lovingly,
and yes
it was worth the penitentiary
to me.

ne day me and my sister-in-law were going to K-Mart Shopping Center. I went one way and she went the other way. I took the shopping cart and I put my bag in it. I left my cart and maybe I went 30 feet. I saw many things and I forgot my cart. After 5 minutes, I remembered about my cart. I went and saw that I didn't have my cart. I was going almost everywhere in the whole shop. I couldn't find my bag. I was so scared. I told my sister-in-law and she said you need to call the police. I was scared more. I called and the police came. I said what happened and after that my sister-in-law and I went home. I was so worried at home because all my documents were put in my bag.

After one week, someone sent everything to me.

n November 25, 2008, my daughter Katelyn, my wife Dannielle, and I left for our vacation in Tennessee. My wife and I were celebrating our fifth anniversary. After a six hour drive, we finally arrived at our cabin, Endless Love, in the mountains of Pigeon Forge. We had been planning waiting for this trip for a long time, and the wait was finally over. After unpacking our truck, we decided to head out for a while. We went out to dinner and went shopping, and then went back to our cabin. As soon as we got in the door, Katelyn went straight for the hot tub and begged us to join her. We spent the rest of our evening in the hot tub in 30 degree weather. The next day, we got up and headed out. We went shopping, then spent the evening at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, which is a live dinner and show that included trick horses, a pig race, and a Christmas show. The dinner was a six course meal that you eat with your fingers. It was delicious! After the show we went back to our cabin for the night and played pool and again got in the hot tub.

Then on Thanksgiving, we spent most of the day at the Nascar Speed Park. We drove the Nascar simulator, played in the arcade, and drove all of the different Go-Carts. Then we decided to eat at the largest buffet in Tennessee called the "All American Buffet". It was not very good. We ate there and decided to back to the cabin and, of course, spent the night playing pool with Katelyn and all of us relaxing in the hot tub.

Friday, we spent the day in Gatlinburg. We rode a sky life which takes you up the side of a mountain on a chair lift. The views were priceless. We had planned to go snow tubing, but decided not to since it was 60 degrees. We spent the day playing black light mini golf, riding bumper cars, watching a 3D movie, a motion movie ride, and then took my daughter gem mining. Then we drove back to Pigeon Forge and went to a magic show with a live white Bengal tiger. Once it got dark, we drove around and looked at the Christmas lights. Then we returned to our cabin for the night. In the middle of the night, we heard a noise on the porch. We went to the door, and there was a huge black bear on our porch trying to get into our trash can. It was crazy to be woken up to that!

Saturday morning, we got up and packed our things back in out our truck, but before leaving, we stopped at the Dinosaur Walk Museum since my daughter likes dinosaurs. It had over 40 different types. Then we stopped at the Fireworks Supermarket on the way out to Pigeon Forge since I love fireworks. We enjoyed our trip to Tennessee more than any vacation that we have ever taken. We can’t wait to go back this summer.

admire my mother-in-law. She raised her oldest son’s two kids when their parents got on drugs real bad. Her youngest son, my husband, got locked up. We have been married for twenty –two years, but we have been separated for almost eighteen years this year. This August 16, 2009 will be twenty-three years we are married. My favorite family gathering was the Christmas of 1986. That was my very first Christmas as a married woman. My husband, Mr. Anthony David Norris, and I were living with his mother, Marie, and her male friend, Mr. Billy. Let me tell you the story of my very first Christmas as a married woman.

My mother-in-law and I were getting the house ready for Christmas by hanging up curtains, and Christmas decorations. On December 23, 1986, my mother-in-law and I were visiting her mother who was living with her oldest niece. When we left her mother, we started back to 11th and Marvine Street where we lived. When we got to the block, we saw the police and the fire department coming out of our house. We ran towards the house, they asked us if we lived there, and we both said “yes”. While my husband was at work, Mr. Billy had decided to fix himself something to eat. He had put on a pot of rice, and then gone, and sat back on the couch, and stated drinking some more. He fell asleep, and let the rice pot burn with rice in it. The fire department said that everything was fine. My mother-in-law, Marie, was so mad at Mr. Billy because he burned the only rice pot she had. She asked me to fill her teakettle with water to make Mr. Billy some hot, black, and strong coffee to sober him up. After she sobered him up, she made him drive us to Cheltonham Mall to do the rest of the Christmas shopping. After we finished, we went back home, and I went in my room, and took off my coat, boots, hat, scarf, and gloves. She did the same thing, and we both had our room door closed, so we couldn’t see what each other’s gifts were.

On December 24, 1986, my husband came home early in the morning. I went downstairs and opened the door for him. Then I went into the kitchen, put the teakettle on, and started fixing me and himus some bacon, scrambled eggs, grits with sugar, and orange cheese, and French toast. Later that evening, my husband went back to work. Maria and I started working on the Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. We fixed: turkey, dressing, baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens, potato salad, and baked honey glazed ham, and for dessert, we made two chocolate cakes, six sweet potato pies,and one pumpkin pie that was for my husband. He loves pumpkin pie. We didn’t get much sleep, and before I knew it, it was Christmas morning and my husband was waking me up by dumping stuff on me. He picked me up out of the bed and gave me a kiss under the mistletoe hanging over our bedroom door. We had fun opening up each other’s gifts. Later, my husband and I got dressed and went to take his grandmother her gifts and a plate of food. We waited until we came back home to eat dinner. After we ate, Marie and I put up the food, and washed up all the dishes, and my husband dried the dishes and put them up. My husband and I went upstairs, and turned the television on, and laid on the bed, and watched it until we fell asleep.

y family is great. We are from Turkey. My mother and my father were in love and my brother, my sisters and I were born.

Especially during summer holiday, our childhood was very beautiful. During that time we would go to my grandmother's village on the Black Sea. She has tea gardens and she manufactured tea. There was a river, some animals, the smell of flowers, trees to hide between and small houses in the village. We went swimming, climbed cherry trees and enjoyed different games.

When all of us were adults and beginning to work, we stopped meeting because we are all very busy.

Those days were nice, but now there is someone who constantly calls, "Mommy, Mommy" to me. This connects me to those days with my grandmother.

To be a child is the best thing in the world.

ell, we all like going to the park. In the summer time we play games. I watch the kids play their own games. It's hard to believe how much they have grown and changed, from one summer to another. They also like going to my Uncle Kenny's house to mess with the horses and pick on them. I like going to there to talk and pass the time, about how everybody is doing in the family. Especially the ones in the family that he sees and talks to that I don't get to talk to in the family and see much. It's good just to have someone to talk to, just to get things off your chest. When it looks like everything is going wrong, it helps to talk about everything because it helps you get over problems. And I think it helps cheer you up when you let it all out.

But the things I cherish most are how fast all my girls grow, and how fast the time goes cause you can never go back and change time.

am
Rosia Parker.

Mountains, waterfalls, and sun
I like praying, singing, and meditating.
My life, My Family, My Ancestors, the New Generations
Are important to me.
I find satisfaction in knowing there is a God.
I can be angry ‘cause the world is not at Peace.
But I am joyful when I worship and intercede.
I love that America has a Black President.
I can be friendly when others are sad.
I have angry feelings when people misuse me.
This ME.
I AM STRONG.

y father is a general. He started his education in Kabul and then he went to Moscow. Also he studied there, too, in Saint Petersburg, in the military academy. In our family we have four sisters and three brothers. I'm the fourth child in the family. For one thing, that's very good because I am in the middle. For example, if I was the first child in my family, I would have more responsibilities.

I came to America in October 2008 from Moscow, Russia. We were in Moscow for 14 years. One reason that we left was we had everything except documents and we were not safe. In the future, I want to study English; and secondly, get a good job; thirdly, make a very good future for my parents; and finally, for my own family.

he favorite family gathering for the Tibetan people is the Tibetan New Year, which generally falls in the month of January, not February. The year 2009 Tibetan New Year falls in the month of February.

Every year we do a big celebration like Americans celebrate Christmas. I send gifts to my family in Tibet, making special phone calls to wish them Happy New Year, especially to my mom. But I will not be celebrating 2009 Tibetan New Year as the past 2008, China gave tremendous suffering to the Tibetans living in Tibet, including my family. The Chinese have killed, arrested and tortured hundreds of Tibetans, monks, nuns, laymen, young and old. My family has been interrogated several times. I cannot contact my family since March 10, 2008. On the first day of the 2009 Tibetan New Year every single Tibetan will pay homage to those who died and living under the Communist Chinese torture instead of celebrating the New Year.

Even my family in Tibet will also not celebrate this New Year. I will mourn and pay homage to our dear brothers and sisters who died and those who are still suffering under the Red Chinese. This is a very sad year for me, my family and all the Tibetans in and around the world.

y brother, Max, was my best friend and I loved him very much. As a child growing up, instead of playing with dolls or hanging out with my sister, I wanted to be wherever Max was. He was very adventurous, and there was never a dull moment when he was around. But like everything, times change. You get older, and you go your way to start your own family.

I resided in Bristol, and he lived in Roanoke, VA. About five years ago, he was in a car accident, and it killed him. I thought I would never get through it; but I knew I had to. I had my own family to take care of. He left behind a wife and two children and a son that was his clone. They also had, and still have, a hard time over his death. I stayed with his family through the following fall. His son was also starting kindergarten that fall. My nephew asked me to put him on the bus the first day. I really didn’t think much about it until the day came because he looked at me and said, "Aunt Dawn, I’m glad you are putting me on the bus because you loved my dad like I did." That melted my heart and I felt like I could get through it because I still have a piece of Max right here on earth.

ince the beginning of time in this world there has always been family. When I was a kid I never thought how family was important and played a big role in my life, both in bad and difficult times and in success and happiness.

Always my parents thought about me when I was late coming back from school. They worried if I slept an unusually long time. Also I made them concerned with what had happened to their child anytime I was sick. In all this time my family was the closest people to me.

Now I am a grown woman, almost the head of the family with big responsibilities. Just as my parents did for me, today I have my own family, husband and two lovely children. When I have problems, I talk with my husband, my older daughter, and I laugh with my younger daughter.

am
Aleisha Garland

Sun, Wind, Rain
I like ice cream cones on a hot sunny day.
Making others happy is important to me.
I find satisfaction when I know I’m doing right.
I am angry when things are not going well.
I love my children unconditionally
I am friendly when I am in a good mood.
I feel sad when I lose a loved one.
This is me.
I am.

I Am.
Aleisha Garland

Clouds, Sleet, and Snow
I like the calming sound of jazz.
Education is important to me.
I find satisfaction when I succeed in my work.
I am angry when my family is not happy.
I love to love others.
I am friendly when people show their appreciation.
I have feelings of sympathy when others can’t help themselves.
I am me.
I am.

here are eight blessings in my life in person form. Each one of them have contributed to my growing up. I want to share with you my trials and tribulations.

I have two wonderful girls. I had Taylor Renee when I was eighteen, and I had Chelsey Jean Renee when I was twenty-one. I was still a child when I had my girls. Life just slapped me across the face when I wasn’t looking. I had quite a reality check.

I got married in between my girls. The marriage ended soon after it began. I was alone and starting over. I was scared of the big world.

One bright spring day, my knight in shining armor appeared as a man named Lawrence. No, he did not come in gold. He has four children of his own, two of whom were babies and a wife he was desperately wanting to divorce.

Regardless of all of that, it was love at first sight. We got a place that was perfect for us and my girls. Just when things seemed good and right, POW, his ex-wife decided she did not want to be a mom any more. She dropped off her four kids and left. Because of her actions, Lawrence got custody of all four of his kids. My thoughts were I have two kids of my own, how was I going to take care of four more.

I took these kids in with open arms. I tried to make a two bedroom apartment accommodate six children and two adults. You know the old saying, “Let go and give it to God.” Well, that is exactly what I did.

Just as I started to get the hang of mothering six children, God said, “Here, Carla, one more won’t hurt.” I was stressed out and overwhelmed at the thought of seven children. I found the strength or maybe the strength found me. Madison Jayde was here on June 20, 2007. She brought peace, love, and happiness, and the foundation needed to bring my family together.

Looking back, I only see trials and tribulations. I realize now those trials and tribulations were my blessings in disguise. I could not see all that was going on in front of me; that it would all make me the strong, loving, caring, and responsible person I am today.

I thank God everyday for the blessings He brought to me, and I will continue to thank Him for everyone He gives me.

have two brothers and two sisters in my family. But my father is a special person. I miss them all. I remember the time we were talking, laughing, and loving each other. The time has died. Father loves us. Yes, I miss them so much, and I don’t know where I can meet them. I hope I meet them very soon.

hen my mind flashes back to my family, I slowly shake my head in sorrow. After a while, I look up and keep staring silently into the air, sigh, and lower my head sharply with my eyes closed. I only nod when I admit, “Yes, we are separated.”

My family has had little luck staying together. It has been in pieces most of the time. This has made it impossible for one generation to see another. For instance, the youngest sibling says she does not know her mom. She was five when she last saw her. Only one child out of eight has ever seen a grandparent, but even that was for a short time, only a visit from the country we were born to the land of my grandparents. My mom has only seen half of her grandchildren. She has only seen half of them in pictures or spoken to them over the telephone. My family is indeed separated, but I appreciate the way we try to remain a family. We keep thinking of each other across these long distances. Communication keeps our hearts affectionately together.

The last gathering that involved many members of my family was my sister’s wedding in 2000, which had less than half of the family members present because the others were far away. I was thirteen. Among the other events, which included less family members, was my sister’s graduation in 2005.

All eight of us children were once together with my parents, and those related by marriage, but no aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents were there. Now, I am together with my mom and dad, but the other siblings are elsewhere.

Since my childhood, my mom has dedicatedly cared for her children. She loves her children, but unfortunately, she has no luck staying with them.

am
Karen Banks.

Sun, moon, and sky
I like cool spring mornings. And warm spring days.
Getting my GED is important to me.
I get satisfaction when I accomplished something.
I get angry when people try to discourage me.
But I soon get over it, because that is what adults do.
I love when people are there for each other.
I am angry when people are mean.
I have a good feeling when I am around happy people.
This is how I feel.
I am.

I Am.
Karen Banks.

Sky, clouds, and rain
I like watching the clouds clear in the sky after the rain.
My children are very important to me.
I find great satisfaction when my children seem happy.
I am angry when they seem sad.
I love family dinners, picnics, and happy reunions.
I can be friendly when people are kind.
I am sad when they’re not.
This is how I am. I am.

hen my family came to the USA, it was winter and my children were very happy and excited because it was the first time that we saw the snow. We played all day and made a snowman. It was very big and we were excited. This time is very special for me because my family was very happy.

y family is close and loving. We have always done everything together. My grandmother was the chief. She kept everything and everyone in order. She raised me and my three sisters with the help of my aunts. She taught us to be respectful and giving.

My grandmother was a pastor who owned a home with a church inside. Every Sunday, we went to the service. A lot of times, my sisters and I would hope and pray that my grandmother would yell upstairs, “We’re not having service today!” Then we could go outside and have fun in the sunshine.

My grandmother was the greatest. She called me her pet because I was the only boy.

She let me do more than my sister because I was rough and tough. She would take me along with her to go grocery shopping and teach me to pick through fruit and vegetables. Before you knew it, I was walking to the grocery store, shopping, and catching a cab back with five to six bags of groceries. She also taught me and my sisters to be neat and clean. She would make us clean and clean, and we would be so mad because all of our friends were outside playing. Then she said she didn’t want to live in the filth, and we would understand as we got older. She was right.

I truly love my grandmother for all that she did for me and my sisters, and I will never forget her.

Even today, she encourages me to finish my education. Whenever I call her in Darfur, Sudan, she says, "Are you going to school, or are you just working?" My mother is a very special person to me. She is proud of me, and I am proud of her. She is my greatest treasure.

y mother died when I was six years old and my brother was three. We were then adopted by a lady named Ms. Waddy, in Goochland, VA. She was a good foster parent to me and to my brother, Carl. She treated us as if we were her own sons. We worked on a farm and went to school. Eventually, Ms. Waddy passed away.

After that, we moved to Fluvanna County, a little town called Kents Store. There, we were in the care of two sisters, who were preachers, and a brother, who was a deacon in their own church. They wanted two boys. It was nothing different, just more kinds of work to do. We worked around the house, milked cows, and chopped wood. We went to church on Tuesday night, Friday night, Sunday morning, and Sunday night! We called the two sisters, Mom and Grandmom. They were seventy-some years old, but you couldn’t tell it the way they got around. They were good as gold and loved us until the day they died, this year. All three of them. I miss them very much.

So, my brother and I moved to another foster home in a Shadwell area, known as Milton Hill. We moved into a house with another lady, who was also very kind to me and my brother, a Mrs. Green. She did everything in her power to make us feel at home. We went to school and lived there until we were grown.

I was taught well by all my parents; but I didn’t listen very well. I thought they were being hard on me; but they were trying to keep me out of jail, where I am now. Believe me, I have learned a lesson. Don’t take your mother or father for granted, because you don’t miss your water until the well runs dry.

y husband and I got married in Iran 25 years ago. There, we had two sons and one daughter. In 2006, we moved to the United States. Our oldest son was now getting older, and he wanted to get married. We did not know this, and we did not know that he had a girlfriend. One day, he came home, and he was very excited. He told us he had met a nice girl, and wanted to get married in a few months. We were shocked! But we were very happy. We thought, here was our little boy, and now, he was grown and wanted to get married. We were remembering when he was born, when he went to school, and when he went to work for the first time. Now, he wanted to start a new life and have a new home with the girl he loves. He is making a big change in his life. We soon met my son’s fiancée, and she is very nice and very beautiful. We like her very much.

Now, we had a lot of work to do. We had a big wedding to plan for in only a few months. In Iran, a wedding party is very important for the family, so, we wanted everything to be perfect. We didn’t know where to start. First, we decided to go to Northern Virginia because much of our family lives there, and the family of my son’s fiancée lives there, too. We went to Northern Virginia and found the place for the wedding, and we ordered the cake and sweets. And we invited all our family and many friends.

On the date of the wedding, January 4th, we had the wedding ceremony in the morning.

The bride and groom gave a ring to each other, pledged to be wife and husband, and wished each other a long life. Then, they signed the marriage document. By Iranian custom, nine other persons signed the marriage document including both the bride’s and groom’s parents and five other friends or family. My son was now married. I was feeling both happy and sad. I think all parents want to see this time. They are happy to see their child grown up and married, but they will miss their little child. I was laughing and crying. I am very lucky. I have good children. I wish this for all parents.

That night, we had a big party. The bride was wearing a white dress and looked beautiful. My son was beautiful, too. I love both of them. Many people came to the party. Everyone listened to fun music and danced. They ate fruit, special sweets, and drank tea. I will never forget that night, that date, that feeling. After the wedding, we went to my son’s home to say congratulations and good bye.

According to custom, three or four days after the wedding, the bride’s mother must invite my son, her daughter, and my family to her home for dinner or lunch. In Iran, this is called pagoshah. After this, my son and his wife can visit other friends or family. So the next weekend, we went to the bride’s mother’s house for dinner. We had fun, and we watched the wedding video. We had music and danced. The bride’s mother gave her some gifts to use in the kitchen. I gave her a necklace.

Planning the wedding was not easy; but when I look back on it, it was fun and very important for the future. My son got married in the United States of America. He has adopted a new land to live in with his wife. I wish them well.

am
Jeanette Grady

Snow, rain, mountains
I like taking long walks.
My family and boyfriend are important to me.
I find satisfaction when my health is in good condition.
I get angry when people at work gossip a lot.
I love that my baby boy’s last year
In school will be a very good one.
I can be anything and anything I want to when I get my GED.
I feel good when my boyfriend spends time with me.
This is me.
I am.

was born and grew up in a beautiful village in Bosnia, the seventh child of my parents. It was the most beautiful place in the world. My parents were very old to be parents. When I was born, my four brothers were already grown up. Two brothers and my father were in World War II. Before World War II, my father was an important person in the village.

Early in World War II he lost his right hand and he came back home. He was helpful to the partisans. His reputation was very respectful in the village and also in the house. I was very, very respectful of him and always wanted to be near him to help him with anything.

But in my head I had big wishes for my own "Playful party. My child party." As I grew up to about 8 years, I surprised them with my constant questions and answers. Stir crazy, my parents lost hours and days talking about what I am saying, smart or stupid for a child. My oldest brother called me "small devil," and I became his favorite sister.

On the farm there were many children, all of them older than me, and everybody played hard. I wished to be in their group. They accepted me in the group, and I became leader. One night we planned to destroy the harvest grapes in the neighbor's vineyard. We destroyed all the vineyard. After that we ran away.

Just one day after that, my neighbor was sitting on the bench near my house and looking at me. Her vineyard was destroyed, and she asked everyone what could have happened to her vineyard. When she saw me, she knew I was responsible. She started calling me "thief.!" I thought, "Why do you call me thief?" I don't understand what she means. My friends and I just thought we were having innocent childhood fun. When my mother and my oldest sister heard about this, my sister was ashamed. She threatened to kill herself. I was ashamed at what happened. I asked my mother if my sister was so upset because she was crazy. "What is she saying?" My mother says, "NO, she is not crazy, you are crazy. You are the shame of the whole family. Is it possible that the last child of older parents should shame the entire family?" After that I took this lesson for myself and I never again have stolen, shamed, or destroyed anything that was not mine. Now I am successful woman. If my parents were alive today, I know they would be proud of me.

am
Tameka Benson Ramirez

Snow, rain, water
I like reading love stories.
My family is important to me.
I find satisfaction when my kids and husband are happy.
I get angry when people are not nice.
I love my family and my husband.
I can be anything I want.
I fell feel good when my husband spends time with me.
This I is me.
I am.

y name is Janet, and I have two wonderful kids, but it was a hard road to get to where I am at. Well first, I was in school, and I got pregnant by a boy I love so much. We were so happy that we were going to be parents. Then a week later, I noticed I was bleeding some, and Thomas and I went to the hospital. The worst thing I could ever hear, they told me I was having a miscarriage. I just sat and cried because my worst nightmare had come true. I was losing my baby. I thought I would never get over losing my baby.

Then about four months later, I went to the doctor, and they told me I was pregnant. I was so scared, because I didn’t know if I was going to lose this one, too. Then I got to be six months pregnant, and they told me that I was having a little girl. I was so happy. Then April 17, 1999, my wonderful daughter was born. She was a beautiful little girl. She was my little angel. I loved her so much, but I couldn’t forget the baby I lost. We were the happiest family.

Then about three years later, I found out I was pregnant again. We were so happy, but then it happened again.

I started to bleed again. I just started to cry again, because I knew what was happening. I was losing this baby. The doctor told me I was having another miscarriage. I just sat at home and cried. My mom told me it will be OK -- I will have another baby.

Then about four months later, I got pregnant. This time the doctors told me I was having a little boy. Then on Jan. 18, 2002, my son was born. He was so handsome. Then the doctor told me I couldn’t have any more kids. I guess God just made it possible for me to have a boy and a girl, but my son was the most handsome boy in the world. Now, both of my kids are healthy and I love them more than anything, but I will never forget the two babies I lost. You will never forget a child. But I just thank God for my daughter and my son. I just want to say to them, "I love you."

came to the U.S.A. on September 1, 2005. I lived in Mae Sot, Thailand. I met my husband there. I have one child. I gave birth to my son on April 24, 2003 in the Refugee Camp. My son speaks English a little.

Now I am studying English. I like to drive my car. I like to go to my class and I like to read books.

I need to speak English very well. I want to talk English and I want to learn more English because I need to help my son with his homework. I want to talk my friend English. I want to read and understand the newspaper.

I wanted to come here because I love the U.S.A. and I would like a better job and life than in my country.

had a very good father. My father was very communicative. He had many friends and he taught us and he taught us how we need to love and respect God and other people. He taught us not to discriminate against different colors or nationalities.

In Bosnia, where we lived, there were three ethnic groups, Serbian, Croatian, and Muslim. We respected everyone and were friendly with everyone, and we have mixed relatives because of marriage between other ethnicities.

My father was a farmer. He worked very hard. He sowed maize, wheat, flax, beans, sunflowers, sugar beets, pumpkins, potatoes, cucumber, cabbage, everything that we needed. We had horses, cows, sheep, pigs, geese, ducks, turkeys, and chickens. We had a dog and a cat, too. We did not have a tractor for working in the field. We used horses to plough, and we did many things by hand.

My father was always busy, but never nervous or in a bad mood. He always had to give us some advice. When he was seventy years old, he died. During his last ten years, he was sick with asthma. I will never forget him and his advice: Love and respect, be kind and polite. Be hospitable, don't steal, don't lie, don't hate, and don't return evil for evil. Wherever you go, make a friend for yourself. Wherever you may be, God will be with you.

am
Irvenia Scott.

Sun, rain, wind
I am fly, like a summer breeze.
I love my family.
I find satisfaction in helping others.
I’m angry when people do me wrong.
I love cooking, reading.
In the end, I’m just
Me. I am.

he nurse switched my baby, my son, Edwin. The nurse made a mistake because the other woman who was beside me was supposed to have her baby first.

All this was in El Salvador in 1995. For thirty minutes, I didn't have my son. I told the nurse she gave me the wrong baby and then she called another nurse and they gave me my baby back.

Now my child is 13, but I still cry when I think of that day.

'm going to speak a little about my family. I have a great family, all of them are very important to me, especially my daughter. She has brought much joy, love, wonder and hope to my life. She makes me be different and better. She inspires me to get my goals.

I normally don't talk about her but now I'm going to talk. I'm very proud of her. She is nine years old, she is in elementary school and she has been taking swimming lessons since she was five years old. I haven't seen her since I came to the USA three years ago, when I left Mexico. The hardest thing was to be away from her. She got mad at me and during the first three months, she cried every single day. But, after we talked by phone she understood why I came to this country.

Now we have good communication. I call her almost everyday and when we feel so sad, we remember those days when we spent time together and those things we used to do together. I still miss her a lot. I hate being far away from her, but at the same time, I feel so good to know that she is fine and hapy.

I have many cousins and every one has something special. They are Yesenia, Elmer, Adan, Janeth, Ovilia, Nancy, Diana, Yamileth, Omar, and Edwin.

I remember when I was playing with my cousin, Yesenia. A small river crossed the yard at my grandma's house. On vacation, we were playing every day. Then we lived together with grandma when I was fifteen until I was twenty-three. Now I really miss Yesenia. Now she is married and she has two children. She is living in El Salvador. I love her.

My cousin, Elmer, is really nice and a very good brother to Yesenia, and a good son to his parents. He is a good friend to all of his relatives. Before I came here, we were living together, too. Elmer has two children, a daughter and a son. The son is 8 years old, the daughter is 2 years old. Elmer lives in El Salvador with his girlfriend and I miss him and Yesenia very much.

My other cousin is Adan. When the civil war started in El Salvador, I tmoved to the city of Sonsonata, El Salvador. In Sonsonate I met my cousin, Adan. When I met Adan, he was 8 years old. He was great with me. We went to school together. We grew up together, so we were playing, too.,?p>

My cousin, Janeth, is a beautiful woman. She is a very good mother and cook. She has two children, a son and a daughter. She is living in Charlottesville. Often we go shopping. I enjoy being with her. I learn many things from her. For example, I learned to cook.

My other cousins are younger. When they were children, I was their babysitter. I have many memories about them. Some of them I haven't seen again.

am
Audrey Woodson.

Moon, stars, and sky
I like to cook, play games, and sing
My family keeps me smiling
I find satisfaction in the work I do
I get angry when someone talks bad about me
I love to see people smiling
I can be very nice to people
I feel good when my kids hug me
This is me
I Am

I Am
Audrey Woodson
Sun, moon, and river
I like to play basketball, ride bikes, and
My family keeps me going
I find satisfaction when I go visit my mother
I get angry when my mother gets sick
I love to see my mother smiling
I can be upset when my friends and I don’t speak
I will feel good when I get my GED diploma
This is me
I Am