10/06/2020
I was 6 when my father immigrated to the U.S., after 10 years of trying, I was the first one in my family that got my visa.
I remember it was night time when my dad called the landline and told us that I had to get ready for my Green Card interview.
I remember when we got the news I was not happy. In fact, I felt sad and worried. What was going to happen?! What about my mom?! Do I have to go by myself?!
I remember a few nights later when my mom was warming up some bread, we danced together, laughed, made jokes… and all of a sudden she looked at me and said remember these moments, these are all memories.. And we both started crying. It was as if we had both been avoiding our feelings. She said “don’t be sad, all these years I got to be with you, after all now is your dad’s turn to be with his daughter” That night I felt a kind of grief that I had never felt in my life. I remember as my mom was eating dinner I sat there wrote in my journal and drew the moment. I wanted to remember it picture perfect.
My mom was my everything! She was my best friend. We were each other’s partner in crime. The thought of leaving here was scrutinizing.
After a month or so we flew to Dubai for my interview and the pre-interview medical exams and vaccinations. In the clinic I looked at other people who were there, and I kept thinking to myself are these people happy? or do they feel the same as me?!
At the time, I used to faint whenever I saw blood or needles. I remember my mom was so worried when we were at the clinic for my vaccinations. She was standing by the door to make sure I didn’t faint, when the nurse gave her attitude and asked her to wait outside! I felt bad. It felt as if we had already been separated.
The day of my interview, I went inside the embassy and my mom and sister waited outside in the parking. I felt nervous and nauseous. My name was called, the interview was done and I was told to go back to my seat and wait. When my name was called again, the officer told me my visa was approved. I was asked to swear that all that I had said was true, I did. And just like that I was on my way to United States of America.
