FOR THE LOVE OF SOCCER
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My parents left for California five years ago. My aunt, Mercedes (Mercy), my mother’s sister, filled out papers for my parents to get their residence in the United States. It was a cold, gray, rainy day in May when my parents left. They flew on United. We all cried when they left. I felt that I would never see them again. Emily and Rose hung on to my hands and got really close to me. I knew that I had to be strong and not tell them that I thought my parents were not coming back. I prayed that the plane wouldn’t go down. I was so scared! I don’t have anyone to talk to about my fears. My sisters and brother are too young. My father told me that I had to take care of them and grandma now that they were gone. Mama Tonita always says that I am the man of the house. I have never been the man of the house before; that was my grandfather’s job. I really don’t know what I am supposed to do. Oh, how I wish my grandfather were here! We all rode in the car with my parents to the Capital to see them off. It was a long five hours silent ride to the capital. No one felt like talking. It was as if we were all afraid to break the silence, afraid to reflect the sadness that we all felt. There had been plans for two years about their trip to California, but that didn’t make it any easier for us kids and Mama Tonita to see them leave. I am glad we are not going to California; maybe that way my parents won’t stay very long. My Aunt Mercy and her husband couldn’t arrange papers for all of us, so my parents went by themselves and left us in the ranch with my grandmother. We are supposed to join them later; as for me, I hope that day never comes. That dreaded day is here. My parents are in line to get on the plane to go to California. I don’t want to be here! I am scared! I don’t want my parents to go; unfortunately I have no voice on the matter. I don’t understand why children have no opinion on these matters. My life, as well as my sisters, brother and grandmother’s lives will be changed and there is nothing we can do! It’s my parents’ turn to board the plane. They hugged us all and moved on. Before leaving my father said, “I will call you as soon as we get to California”. We watched until the plane took off. I can see my grandmother wiping tears from her eyes. I hugged her and said, “Don’t worry everything will be alright”. I love my grandmother and I don’t like to see her crying. I don’t want to tell her how scared I am. Emily, Rosa and Robert are also crying; I hugged all three of them, which helped me hide my tears. For a brief moment I wonder if my parents really love us, but I quickly get that thought out of my mind. Will they make it? Will they be safe? Are they ever coming back? There are so many questions about their safety going around in my head that I feel dizzy.
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About the Book
This is the story of Juan Carlos Chavez, who found comfort from the pain of isolation, prejudice and his parents absence in his love for and dedication for soccer. Living on a ranch on the slopes of the San Vicente Volcano or in an inner-city barrio was at times difficult. Playing soccer became a way of surviving loneliness and internal unexpressed anger for him. This is the odyssey that he lived in order to cross the border to the United States. He helped to bring his two sisters and brother across the border and, in so doing, he discovered how much he loved his siblings. He came of age, and recognized the deep sense of responsibility he had for his brother's and sisters’ safety. It was at this dangerous and perilous time that He made a strong commitment to return to his native country. He felt the strong tug that the land had on his life. He knew the only way for him to feel whole was to work on the ranch beside his beloved grandmother.
About the Author
I’m a retired middle school teacher. I was born in El Salvador, Central America. I came to The United States as a teenager. I graduated from San Francisco State University with a Master in Psychology and Education. I taught for thirty years in various schools in Southern and Northern California. I also studied in China for a year at the X’ian Normal University. While in China I taught English Literature at the Engineering University in X’ian China to a group of Chinese Engineers. During the time I was a student at San Francisco State University I volunteered in the Mission Coalition Organization in San Francisco and was trained as a Community Organizer by Saul Alinsky.