I used to live in Brazil until 1998. I had a wonderful life with my family and relatives. I used to go to church on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday nights. On the way I would always see people walking by. I used to sit with my sisters on the sidewalk to watch the children playing with their toys and people riding on their bicycles, motorcycles and skates. I also saw a lot of soldiers walking to the police station because it was near my house.

From my house I could hear the ringing bells of the beautiful main church of my city. The whole year everything was like a circus for me because of the long and fantastic summer days of my country.

It has been almost five years since I changed my life. Today I live in an endless winter and I can see from my window only snow… snow and more snow.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Argentina Maria Avila De Moraes has been here for 4 years and 9 months. She’s from Brazil. She works in “Golden Pond” Assisted Living laundry. "I want to take class next semester for citizenship. This is my dream for the future." She’s an intermediate ESOL student at the Framingham Adult ESL Program.