Hello my name is Elia Cabrera, As a single mother of five amazing children I know first hand how difficult it can be to deal with stress, crying babies, irritated people, and a whirl wind of emotions. Especially when out in the public or in an office environment. It's never a fun or ideal situation to be out and for unexpected things to happen. As humans we can only control so much at a time. Which in the end leaves room for more unfortunate events to occur. This can lead to many emotions and at times we tend to take things out on others. Even when er truly don't mean to hurt or do things. Therefore, I make it my priority to make life easy for every single person I encounter with. I currently work in the hospitality department and see the importance of helping each patient with compassion and respect. Staying humble and mindful of others. Understanding and observing their emotions and state of mind during our encounters. We don't know what they may be going through therefore it is best to be as patient, kind, and compassionate towards them. Especially with our new moms who may be dealing with PPD. Or any other individual who is afraid of the unknown. Being able to help them as an individual and not just another number is very important for me. I put myself in their shoes and ask myself if this was me, how would I like to be treated. Or if this was any of my children, how would I like them to be treated. Keeping in mind that I have no control over how others feel or think. Yet, reminding myself that all I can do is make that small encounter meaningful and worth every second. When I see the stress, or nervousness wear off their faces. I feel accomplished and happy that I was able to help them in their time of need. Over the years I have held many jobs in which they all consisted of helping either patients, students, parents, staff and the elderly. Each one unique in its own way. Being able to find the solution to each one of them is an amazing reward. It feels great being able to be a part of helping others. I have also participated in many community events over the years. Making sure to involve my children as active participants. One of our favorite event to do is our annually beach clean-up day. Not only do they help clean up the beach but they also get to enjoy a day in the beach. Staying active and participating on walks with out local hospital is also so much fun. We learn more about of doctors and how they enjoy helping their patients. While enjoying a great outdoor hike. I am beyond grateful for each and every opportunity I have been given. For each one has helped me shape my mind into seeing things through others perspectives. It has allowed me to grow more and it continues to allow me to help others.

When I was 16 I became pregnant and thought my life was over. I was no longer able to attend my high school because they didn’t have a teen mom program. So I was forced to attend an independent program instead. Being there was hard I was out of my comfort zone. Every Monday I would walk to the old church school and wait for the teacher to open her door. This classroom was filled with “troubled” students. The gangsters, mental health students and a few other pregnant teens. I was not able to understand why I was here. Being a teen mom was not a crime. But I guess for them it was. My teacher was a nice kind lady. I never told her how I really felt about attending that school there. As time went on I continued to do my work and mind my own business. That spring I had my son. Oh he was my biggest blessing and nothing else matter anymore. I went home with a beautiful healthy baby boy. My teacher was aware that I had given birth. Because of my lack of attendance. She would drive to my house and bring my homework to me every Monday and would come back on Fridays to pick up my homework. When she would visit me she would help me with my homework and even cuddle with my son. She would carry my son every time he cried. So that I can concentrate on my work assignments. Always beating me to my son. I started thinking about how lonely she must feel. She only has one child and she’s grown up and out of the house. We became family. She would visit more frequently and continued to help me with my schoolwork and my child. My son became accustomed to her and it was nice having her around. She would always ask me where I saw myself five years from now. I would always reply back making enough money to sustain my family. I don’t think she understood why I said that. She looked at me and said no you have to attend college. You need a good education in order to be successful in life. In all honesty I have never heard of the word college or even imagined that I would attend college. Yet, after another child and work I finally attended community college and obtained my AA. Ten years later I decided that I need my BA. In order to be successful and accomplish my goals. I need my BA. My high school teacher is the reason why I’m in college now. She inspired me to attend college and be someone more than just a statistic. I am forever grateful for her kindness and for believing in me.

Although I enjoy watching movies and the true meaning behind it all. I would say that my favorite movie that I would watch over and over is “My Sister’s Keeper”. This movie had me crying, laughing, and angry throughout the entire movie. Some times I just wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. I was so mad at Cameron Dias for not thinking about her young daughter and what she was going through. The fact that she only had her so she can be used like a lab rat to save her older sister is insane to me. I’m a mother and I couldn’t bare the thought of putting any of my children through such a painful process. I understand that as the mother she was in a tough situation. Her oldest daughter was diagnosed with cancer and dying from it. Her only solution was to give birth to a healthy baby girl who was then used as an organ producing machine at her mothers mercy. The sad part is that the father was a silent witness and only did something about it after the fact that his own child decided to take matters into her own hands and emancipate her self from her evil mother. Her son the middle child was trying to help both of his sisters but was also trapped in this situation. At one point he was becoming a rebellious teen. The mother knew then she was losing control over her family. But yet somehow managed to blame everyone else but herself. As if she was the only one who was right and new no wrong in every thing she was doing. I was proud of the father when he decided to grant his dying daughter her last wish. That wish was to go to the ocean and feel free for the first time. To not feel the pain of the needles and medication that was injected in her body. To be able to feel the wind in her face and you touch the cold water of the ocean. To run her toes in the sand and be a teenager for once in her lifetime. That scene had me in tears. Seeing the joy in her beautiful face and appreciating everything for just a few moments was priceless. It made me think about how we tend to forget about the importance of being alive and loved. Of living life to its fullest potential and not regretting it. I’m the end the mother learns how to let go of her dying child and learns to love her two children that are still alive and need her along with her husband.

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