CROSSING OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE

"The End is only the beginning"

So many ways to think on this. You can cross over the border, cross over to a better way of life, cross over to high tech items like from pc to apple , cross over to a new gender, across the river and the list can be endless.

This will be a series of post and today are what I have observed while in Arizona. 

I was driving super early in Mesa and Tempe Arizona when I spotted men of I presumed Mexican origin waiting at the home depot. It was about 4:30 am. I wondered if the shift started so early and why they were waiting outside. I was used to all night internet cafes where I wrote for hours on end. 

When I got home I wondered what they were all doing outside at this hour. The next few weeks were a mind opener for me as my new job as leasing manager would answer all these  questions.

The " stop everybody that "looks Latino new law in Arizona " and make sure all, the green cards are legal class I had to take led me down a path I will always treasure.

It was my first month as leasing manager. I had many apartments to rent. I had a very nice Mulata lady from Vera Cruz Mexico and her light skinned man who wanted to rent an apartment from me. I noticed her green card was fake , and her man's card also was fake as the left ear was not showing, he was facing straight on. This was my first experience at this. I stared at Elisa and I knew she knew I had discovered her false ID.  

I asked her why she wanted to rent here.She said she had just gotten a job to send money for the care of her kids in Mexico , that she was going to send them money. She described how hard it was to get work there. I knew she had a story, a good one, that I could learn from. I asked her to meet me at my apt on the grounds after work. As she was leaving I noticed she had a limp and a scar on her ankle . In Arizona it is hot , most of us wear sandals. She later described why she had her scar and her limp.

It was 6:30pm  time to call it a day. When I arrived at my porch in front of my apt. she was waiting. It was very hot out and I got her some water and we sat like  two ladies should, on a nice cool porch. 

I asked her to tell me her story. 

Elisa : " I have crossed the border six times. Every time I was found and sent back. This time I got this far. But it was not easy. This last time as I crossed over we were about to get caught again. We all ran as we heard guns going off. So I ran so much I fell .  I cut my ankle badly and all I could think of was who was going to care for my babies if they killed me. I kept running. I wanted to help my children and I had no one except my mom who was up in age to care for them. There were no jobs in my village. I have a good job now , my boyfriend has a good job but he is sleeping on someones sofa as we do not have a place of our own."

I listened to all she said and felt her truth in it. So I suggested since I was leaving that she speak with one of my neighbors who lived next door to me.  I said I was moving to Texas with my man that she and her man could possibly get my apartment when I  left until then she could  stay with me. I could then ask if we could transfer my apt into her and her man's name . She was so happy . 

The following week she came over and we moved her and her boyfriend to my living room. That night she made us all supper with home made tortillas. The following morning I awoke early and as I showered I could hear her in the kitchen . She had gotten up early to make my food  for breakfast. When I got dressed there was a nice home cooked meal on my table.I was so pleased. She asked me to please come home for lunch as she had a special treat.

I came home for lunch and there again was a delicious feast. I had heard that in gratitude and her customs this was the way family treated each other. Later that day I asked her if she wanted to go shopping at the thrift store with me. She said yes and off we went like two sisters shopping. This scene repeated over and over for a few months. She had explained to me that the men waiting in line so early in the morning were waiting to be picked up for work . That many have families like she did back home. 

I started to think of all the people I had passed by with signs asking for money, food or shelter. Not one of them was Mexican. I started to feel again  as if some of the stereotypes were unfair.

And I wanted to help the children who arrived because I can now understand they will work, they will appreciate and they will not be out there with signs. But mostly because they are children who need love and to be safe.