The beginning of the end... well, almost!

Naley (left) and Ylaizah (right) -- MHS C/O 2011

September 2, 2010

This morning I got up earlier than usual to perform my annual ritual of sending the girls off on their first day of school with a BIG breakfast...  At 6am, I was whipping pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs - still half-asleep, but working at it!  As I was making breakfast, I couldn't help but to think: "Senior Year... my girls are starting their Senior year at MHS."

Summer days are now officially over.  I believe they had a decent summer, to say the least.  They both worked at Six Flags New England, we hung out at the waterpark a few times, Naley went to California for two weeks, Ylaizah and I did the tubing thing in New Hartford (so not worth the time or money, but we did it!)

I have run into a few of my daughter's friends from when they attended school in Hartford.  Some of them, same age as my girls (17-18) have either dropped out of school and/or have gotten pregnant.  Some have excelled by enrolling in magnet schools, others enrolled at the local vocational school and others are already in college.  While my two are still trying to decide what they want to do -- I tell them all the time they don't have to figure it out right away -- they do know that they have to do something meaningful with their lives. 

Naley's trip to California was what I like to call a paradigm shift in her life.  She went to visit with friends, but she also went to see if she'd like to live there as her plan is to go to college there and later, make Cali her permanent home. She's been set on that plan for years and doubt that it will change.  I am happy that she  Ylaizah changes her mind every time I ask her, so I still don't know what she wants to do and honestly, I am okay with it.

One thing I know for sure is that we are where we are because of the stability provided by our safe, simple and decent home.  I sometimes wonder where would we be if I hadn't taken the time to apply for a Habitat house.  It feels good to know that they have a home where they don't have to worry about drug dealers hanging on the porch as they leave in the morning to walk to school, prostitutes hanging around the corner, walking past make-shift memorials where someone has been shot a few days before...

Well, from the bottom of my heart, thanks to everyone who helped us get out of that situation. 

To my girls:  Happy First Day of Senior Year!  Estoy muy orgullosa!