My Village

Hilary Clinton once said, "It takes a village to raise a family," I'm proud to say that I have a family that has been with me through the good, bad, and the ugly. Families are like precious gemstones. They can never be replaced. They are the glue that binds and establishes the foundation from which you were created. Some people are ungrateful for the wonderful families that God gave to us. Others are not so lucky to have families that have abandoned them for whatever reason. I know I was one of those people who didn't care about family. Where would I be without them? It's a question I ask myself everyday and thank God they never gave up on me. Money comes and goes, but families don't. I remember when I hit rock bottom, and I was at the lowest point of my life. I didn't have anywhere to go. My family in California opened their doors, and showered me with their love and kindness. I was never close to them in the sense that they lived so far away. When they welcomed me into their homes and lives, it was as if I knew them forever. I remember going into their home as a drunken fool with a cocaine addiction. They helped me get back on my two feet so that one day I could make something out of my life. My uncle, Argelio Rodriguez, was a former Marine who served in Vietnam. I knew from day one that living under his roof wasn't going to be no walk in the park. I was right. I learned to be a man again because of his infinite wisdom and guidance. He made me realize that my life was worth more than to throw it away. I also learned to live again as a new man with a new mission. My cousin Christina from time to time would kick me in the butt whenever I needed it. She helped me get my life back, and that's worth more to me than anything. At the time, she was in the process of filing for divorce, and here I come crashing into their home with my problems. Christina was there for me from the start. We would always go to the beach and just lay there without a single thought on our minds. The ocean to me was therapeutic. In a way I helped her cope with her problems. I guess you could say we leaned on each other in coping with our problems. My aunt Celia was so kind to me that she made sure I was fed breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I felt like I was five years old all over again. It felt good! I enjoyed our conversations very much. They were enriched with love, compassion, laughter, and enlightenment. She encouraged me to go back to college and finish once and for all. I don't think I ever saw my aunt angry. She was a gentle flower who spread her love to me so that I would be able to smile again. She definitely took away the dark skies, and made them sunny again! Meanwhile when I was in California, my parents helped pay all the bills. They didn't want me to get my credit score ruined, so somehow my father took out a portion of his savings and paid for the treatment center, my bills, and other miscellaneous things. He was thinking long term and didn't want me to suffer for the next seven years of bad credit. He also managed to help me get back to college with financial aid assistance, and other important calls he made all for the sake of getting my life back to order. He moved heaven and earth so that I could become a productive citizen in the workforce one day. My parents could have given up on me for all the pain that I endured them with. I made them feel worthless and useless when I was using drugs. I actually brought Hell to my parents, and for what? Did they deserve it? No. I blamed them for everything that went wrong in my life. Looking back, they didn't do a bad thing to me. The whole time, I was fighting against myself. After my family in California had nurtured me until I received all the help I could get, I returned to Laredo, Texas to make amends to those I hurt: my family. At first, it was an awkward moment that my family and I had, but somehow we managed to begin the healing process. Funny thing is that the whole time, I was trying so hard to escape from my family that I ended up with family. God had a purpose for me, and I thank him everyday for giving me a family that I have now. I am fortunate and blessed to have a family that will never give up on me when times are tough. No matter what life throws at you, families are a nest filled with love and support. I understand that not all families are as great as mine. The problem with today's society is that you have irresponsible people having kids, and not providing a sense of a healthy foundation so that when they grow up, they understand the true meaning of what having a family is all about. There are kids who grow up with no guidance and direction, and they end up in the gutter. Did you ever stop to think that maybe they wanted to climb out of their hell and become productive human beings? Of course they do, but they have no one to show them the way. I am lucky that my family was there to save me because I assure you, I would have ended up in the streets as a sad and lonely man with no home. I wake up everyday and thank God for all the riches he has given to me. I may not have lots of money, or drive fancy cars, but I am rich in the sense that I have a "village" that will always have my back no matter where the wind blows. So the next time you have an argument with your family and you say harsh things like, "I wish I was never born into this family," remember my story. Love your family, and remind them everyday that they are like gold to you. Now if you are a parent, love and care for your children. Remind them everyday that you are proud to be their parents. Children need to have their foundation intact so that they can sow their own seeds of love and care for future generations.