Embracing Change: From Columbia to Miami

A beam of sunlight blinded me momentarily as I stepped out the door. I slowly and resentfully walked down the stairs and once at the bottom turned around to admire the building that had seen me grow. It wasn't t the nicest building in town but it was certainly home and today I had to let go. I was only eight but I understood that this was the end of life as I knew it and the beginning of a completely new adventure. A part of me felt excited for tomorrow and the wonders it could bring, but most of me was saddened by fact that not only was I leaving my friends and familiar environment, but I was leaving one of the most important people in my life, my father. At that moment I couldn't t understand the reasons we had to go or why he had to stay, but on the car ride to the airport, as I tried to plaster the last images of Cartagena in my head, I remember my mom telling me everything was going to be alright, and that it was for the best. Little did I know she was right. We arrived at the Miami International Airport a few hours later and even though I had been there before several times everything felt strange. I saw the city with different eyes.
The transition didn't t become real for me however until we moved to an apartment, just me and my mom, and I started school. At first it wasn't t easy. We were used to a different life style and only knew a couple of words in English. I was used to being the center of attention in the house, and, even though I wasn't spoiled, whatever I wanted my parents were there to give me if they could. They had taught me to clean up after myself, but we'd always had a maid to help me pick things up and make my bed every morning. Of course, upon arrival this all changed. I began to have more responsibilities and chores, and, even though my mom was still very dedicated to me, I started solving problems on my own instead of depending on other people. Emotionally the change had also affected me. My family had always been extremely tight. We