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We Are Lucky


  

I hope, when you read this, that I have raised you to be grateful. Grateful for the parents who love you, for your health, for the freedom you enjoy, and for the life we have provided for you. You are lucky, you live in a country where we are free to say what we want and to enjoy our religion, celebrate our traditions, a country that doesn't live in war. We live in a country that is considered a first-world nation, which means that your idea of what it's like to be poor is probably not very accurate unless you have done your research (in that case, I am very proud). Poverty is a strange, foreign thing for you. Besides a few homeless people in the street, you haven't seen children malnourished and begging for money, you haven't seen the filth and the desperation associated with hunger, and you haven't felt hunger, ever. You don't know what it actually means not to have a home, electricity, phone, internet, a car, an education. Your opportunities are endless; they stretch as far as your imagination allows them to, and this is all plain luck. You don't deserve to have all of this, just as that sick, poor child doesn't deserve to be sick and hungry.
I hope you understand that the rest of the world doesn't live like you do. You are lucky to be growing up with diversity all around you, to have the opportunity to have a voice and to live with kindness and security. You should use all of these privileges to do some good in the world, explore different things, seek knowledge, and be an agent of change.
I grew up in a very colourful country. As you will soon find out, or you already have, there are many highs and lows. The economic disparities that exist in Mexico and the lack of equality for men and women are unbelievable. Still, I love my country and its people; we are resilient, fighters, creative, joyful, and warm individuals. I love my history; that will be your history because we can't help but teach what we have learned over years and years, regardless of the country we are now living in. I hope you take good from each place and replace the bad with the good you will find somewhere else. I hope you realize you have and will get all the tools to succeed in life; a loving family, a good structure value system, freedom, education, and health. 
Above all, remember you are loved, which is the greatest gift of all. 


Comments

  1. CMRenoudSeptember 17, 2014 at 3:12 PM

    Excellent insight Malu. Like you I agree that there are many blessings we should be thankful for, but above all being loved, not only by one, but by two amazing parents is a true, priceless gift. Carlos and You are excellent people and I am sure you will prove to be caring and attentive parents.

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