The memories I have growing up in Haiti are really faint. What I can remember is my family, my parents friends and school.I remember my auntie taking me to school every morning. When it rained she would carry me on her back or on the top of her shoulders to keep my school shoes from getting muddy. When I think about it, most of my memories are from school. I remember the mean teachers who would grip my hands tightly to teach me how to write, my uniform, and the lack of friends. When I was five ,my dad decided to move us (me, my mom and brothers to the US) to live in Florida. I remember that day very well . Probably because we took pictures before we left. I was sad to leave my auntie, she always took care of me when my mom was busy, she was my second mother. Now twenty years later I returned to Port Au Prince, Haiti. While in the car going to my aunt's house I asked myself “Has the country always been like this?” I left the country at a young age so there are plenty of things that I did not notice while growing up in Haiti. The country seemed so foreign to me but once I heard the Creole roll from my fellow natives’ tongues, I knew I was home.
Twenty years is a long time to leave home without visiting. I put off this trip so many times. But finally I went and I am so glad that I did. It has been so long since I embraced my auntie a.k.a second mother. She did not recognize me at first, her little niece is now a grown woman. I met so many other cousins that I never knew existed. My family is big but we live so far from each other. During our stay, my aunt would cook us breakfast and dinner, and accommodate our needs to make us feel at home. Our whole family in Haiti made sure we were comfortable and happy despite not having consistent electricity. While in Haiti, I visited Leogane, the town in Haiti where my dad grew up. It was quite a drive, we went all the way up to the mountains, the view was beautiful. When we arrived, there was not much to see besides small shacks, people who lived in the mountains, old churches, cows, horses, and other livestock. We did not get to visit Jacmel, the town where my mom was born. Both of my parents did not come from much. I could tell life for them was hard. I now see why their faith is so strong and they encourage us to do well. Their life is a living testimony that situations are temporary, God has a purpose for us all and your faith needs to be strong to understand what God has in store for you. During the trip, my parents had conversations that we never had with them before. Real adult conversations. We talked about the past, present and future. I do not know why some Haitian parents wait so long to have conversations like this with their children but I am glad that they finally sat down and talked to us. This was our first family trip since leaving to go to the United States.
This year I have been blessed to visit so many places. It is a true blessing because I have always wanted to travel and visit some places. Out of all of my trips this year only 2 were planned, the rest were opportunities that I jumped at and God provided. Going to Haiti put a lot in perspective, it reminded me of where I came from and everything that God has done for me and what he is going to do for me. Going down the streets of Port-Au-Prince was sad because the conditions of the country is horrible. Yes the country is beautiful but the living conditions are terrible. Some people do not have roofs on their homes, a car, decent shoes, healthcare and the list goes on. God made a way for me and my family because I could have easily been in that situation. Haiti has such a rich history that is unknown by many people, including myself. I want to visit next year and every year after that. I want to see different parts of my country and learn the history, brush up on my Creole, and learn about my peoples’ struggles and needs. I have a few ideas on what I can do for my country and for my people, I know God has already planned for that in my purpose. To all of my fellow Haitians and immigrants out there, take a trip to your country and reconnect with your roots. Talk to your family and fellow brothers and sister in Haiti and in the states, connect with them and ask about their Haitian experience and where they came from. Living in America is a true luxury but we must not forget where we came from and who we truly are.
