contents - Gallatin School of Individualized Study - New York ...

gabriela flores Finding Encouragement104to give us all that we need.”“My parents work hard as well, but we don’t have different things to wear,like you have,” I say.“When you grow up, I’m sure you will have a lot of things. Maybe yourparents don’t buy things like this because you are little, and they think it is notnecessary now. But tell me, which of the accessories I am wearing is the one youlike most?” she asks.I know what she means, but I get shy. I can’t answer, and I stay quiet whilemy sister looks at me as if she is thinking, What is she going to answer?The girl says, “You don’t need to answer; I know it already.” She takes offher bracelet and gives it to me.“But you can’t do that. Maybe it is your favorite, and I don’t want you tofeel bad about it. Also, your parents might not like what you are doing, and . . .”She interrupts me. “Take it, and don’t worry. It is a gift from me to you, toremember me and this trip forever.”Maybe she has forgotten me now, but I will never forget her. Somethingshe didn’t know was that nobody had ever given me a gift before, not even on mybirthday. I think it was because my relatives didn’t have that custom or maybebecause they didn’t have enough money.My father told me once, “If you have the opportunity to make someonehappy, do it, without a doubt. It will make you a better person, and you willfeel good.”The girl did it, and she looked happy.Born in Mexico, Gabriela Flores came to the United States in 2005 with herfamily. She studies at the Bronx Community College CLIP (CUNY LanguageImmersion Program), with teachers Ellen Balleisen, Miguel Gil, TK Bowers andOliver Mann. She says, “I am a strong believer that obstacles have to be facedwithout fear, especially in this very competitive world.”