#552 part 3 I had to ask the lawyer to repeat himself about three times before it sank in what he was saying. “But Im only 18 years old. I don’t have a degree in business let alone management” I told them. Miracle smiled and said “That’s why you got us. We will train you in everything and I will work with you side by side until I am confident you can run your own show. Don’t panic, dad had everything covered” I sat there and just looked at them. Then I leaned forward and looked at the carpet before me. “I don’t deserve this. All I did was be nice like my parents have taught us. I know what its like to have nothing, so the least I could do was give them my kindness” I thought about my dad and how he strived for us kids. He complained little, and even when he was really sick mom had to physically tie him to bed before he could stay home. Even my mother. A pure bred Texans woman, whom her family disowned because of my father, stood by him and loved him everyday. “Vi e fia lou kokogi?/Vi how much is your pay?” dad whispered to me. I looked at him and this time I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Dad!” but he was laughing too and shrugged his shoulders. Typical Islander! Hehehe. The following months required my to attend school and work after it. Elijah and I also became very close too. He would often pick me up after school and we go straight to the Centre, for I no longer have a car. It took its last ride a few weeks after the Miracle came to the house and never came back hehehe. But I wasn’t worried. Dad got a promotion at work, he became a Manager for the Electrical services in his company. Mom because of her sewing skills from making so many of our clothes over the years, started her small inhouse sewing business. Elijah and I spend more and more time together, he became part of the funiture’s really. One day dad commented “Ua loga le kigo o Eli I luga o le couch I le moe so’o ai” I laughed alone because no one else understood dad. “What did dad say?” ask my little brother. I told him and they laughed said dad’s right. I stood at the window and watched Elijah played with my younger brothes outside. He seemed to fit into our family just right. Mom walked up stood next to me, “He is a wonderful boy Violet. Don’t miss your chance. Some people only get one” I walked into the lounge where dad was watching tv. “Dad, can I talk to you?” he looked at me and told me to sit next to him. I sat down not really knowing what I was going to talk to my dad about. But I know I wanted his permission in regards to Elijah. “Dad? What do you think of Elijah?” Dad sat up straight, scratched his head, looked at and said. “Violet my daughter. I come from a hard life in Samoa. My parents sent me to America to look for a better future. I come meet your mother, I did not pay back the love of my family. I accept my punishment from God because I was unkind” My father was crying. I knew how much he loved his family and want one day to return home and give something back. What was suppose to be a talk about Elijah ended up been the talk about our future. Elijah walked in and asked if was ok if he joined us. I nodded, dad sat up a bit more and looked at us. “My daughter has done me proud Eli. Don’t hurt her. Cause we may live in America, but I am still a Samoan parent. You hurt my daughter, I beat you up. We good?” Poor Elijah was speechless at first. I have never heard my dad speak like that before, well maybe because I never had a boyfriend before hahaha. At 19 years old, instead of going to College, I was now working full time running the new Community Centre for our State. Elijah and I worked in the same building but hardly saw each other. Our relationship went from friendship to partnership within months after the talk with dad. But as dad said “You may date my daughter, but you are not allowed to sleep together under my roof until you two are married” haha Samoan style? I think so lol After the Centre was rebuilt, I started getting my salary, this salary was above what both of my parents made, and I would often question the lawyers “mine now” about it, and they keep pulling out the will which stated how much I would receive each month. The first salary was enough for me to down deposit a house for my parents. And that’s how life became. Each time I got paid, I would get something for my parents or my siblings. My dad however never gave up working. My mother also started working for the Centre, making clothing for the poor and because we also opened up a Youth Centre, my mother helped in there too. Her small sewing business became popular with the youths. She made quite a name for herself at the Project and amongst the Community. Dad well, he finally went back to Samoa, and build his mother a house. His village didn’t recognized him, his own mother couldn’t believe he was still alive. When dad left Samoa to come back to America, he brought his mother with him. For the first time we met our grandmother. Mom’s family found out how well our family turned out, they wanted to make peace. At first mom was happy, but then they would ring every week the farm needs this the farm needs that, and mom started to think her family was only after money. She quickly put a stopped on that. We may have money but when Elijah and I go married on my 21st, the wedding was so small you think we couldn’t afford to cater for the small party we had. My dress was made by my mom, so was Elijah’s suit. The most expensive this on me that day was the necklace that my grandmother gave me. Because it was sent over from Samoa, the cost would be expensive. Still now we live a simple life. My siblings and I didn’t become “society snobs” in fact we became the opposite. We volunteer our services wherever its needed. My older brother is now servicing with the American Army, my sister works as a baker, and my little brothers and sister, they are all still finding their place in life. E sa’o le tala “a’oa’o le tama i lana tu ma lana aganu’u, po’o fea lava o le lalolagi eke iai, e iloa o oe na a’oaia e matou alolofa” (Teach your children their culture, for no matter where in the world you live, people will know you were taught by parents with love) We are American born, my kids are American born but if you meet us in person and ask “Where are you from?” I will reply proudly “Amelika na ou fanau ai, ae o lo’u fatu na faufau mai I Samoa” (I was born in America, but my heart was built in Samoa) Fa’afetai lava. *©Your story is amazing. It gives hope for some of us whom are striving to make ends meet, but the inspirations you give I thank you. You make me proud to be Samoan. Fa’afetai fo’I for sharing your beautiful story with us :) Dee*
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 09:52:49 +0000
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