Hope in Life (A true story)
By Humberto Pintor, ESL 49 Student
A long time ago, when the rainbow was black and white (I am an old man now), I was young and with no experience in life. I have to let you know a few boring facts. I was around 25 years old, married and we were expecting a baby. My wife was about 3 months pregnant. I was working a part-time job from 1:00-6:00pm. Monday to Friday, and Saturday I worked 8 hours. My brother-in-law, was living with us at the time. I enrolled in school to study automotive mechanic because this will give me and my family a better future. I was so unwise that I didn't take into consideration the factor "time." I had to get up at 5:00am, so I can give a ride to my brother-in-law, who was working in Chula Vista. Please, let me add a few more facts. I was living in National City, close to the border Tijuana-San Diego and San Diego is located to the north side of National City. So, I had to take my brother-in-law to Chula Vista and then go back to San Diego. My classes started at 6:00-8:00am and then a 30 minutes break, come back to class until noon. After class I had to drive back to Chula Vista to work. My shift started at 1:00pm until 6:00pm. Once my shift ended, I would go home and take care of mi wife's needs, do my homework and finally go to bed around 10:30pm or 11:00pm.
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It was a hard routine every day. By the third month, I was exhausted and frustrated because my pay check wasn't enough to cover my bills and food. And, also my lack of English wouldn't help. My life was turning into a nightmare; I was ready to quit and stop dreaming that I could be a "Superman." On top of that, I hardly ever had any money in my pocket. I had to hide at lunch time because I didn't have money to buy a coffee or even a hamburger. Are you bored? Wait it is going to get better. One morning a classmate and friend, invited me to have breakfast in a restaurant. The restaurant was very small, no tables, It was more like a bar with stools. I felt so bad because I didn't have any money. My friend acknowledged my embarrassment, and told me "Don't worry about the fact that you got no money, Later, when you have better times you can invite me." I agreed. We went to the restaurant and I didn't feel any better for what he said, but I was really hungry.
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When we arrived there were three empty stools, so we sat and when we were about to order breakfast a guy sat next to me. The guy was smiling and the waitress seemed to know him. She asked if he wanted his coffee as usual, and he said "please, do." The waitress was pouring the coffee and adding creamer and sugar to his coffee. The waitress asked him "What is up? You look very happy?" The guy replied "I have been accepted in the program and I am getting a dog." That is when I realized that this person was blind. What a shock! When I entered the restaurant, I was feeling sorry for myself. I realized that I had everything I need, I was able to see, to hear and to talk. Yet, I was feeling sorry for myself. This guy was blind! And he was wonderfully happy because he was getting a dog. I couldn't have felt a bigger fool because I am no bigger in size. It is funny how life teaches you to value. When I walked out of there, I was walking tall. What a lesson I learned! So, don't you ever feel sorry for yourselves but instead look for an inspiration. Believe in you!
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