Take a look around you and tell me what you see,
Are children playing and people laughing
or is sadness where it shouldn’t be…
My life as a child brings sad memories
the memories are filled with many fears,
Searching for the love of my mother
as my eyes cried many lonely tears…
I remember when I was a young man
always wanting to do my best,
Wanting my family to accept me
because I didn’t want to be like all the rest…
I grew up being a man of honor
the first Hmong pilot in the war of Vietnam,
I didn’t know how special I would be
For this was the person that I am…
I was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Forces
a pilot that flew many flights,
I tried to save the people of my country
and I wasn’t going to give up without a fight…
I saw many things throughout my life
some things that I may never share,
They are memories that bring pain and sadness
and in my mind, they will always be there…
Time has a way of changing our lives
it can rob you of your dignity,
It can change how you feel about yourself
and can also destroy your stability…
Although I may have accomplished many things
and may have helped communities in many places,
It doesn’t take away the feelings of emptiness
or erase the sadness you see on my face…
I must ask myself many questions
but I don’t know where to start,
Do I hold onto the memories of sadness
do I try to put happiness back into my heart...
I don’t know what tomorrow will bring
I don’t know if happiness is what I will find,
But I know that my family is important to me
for they are treasures within my mind…
Yes, I am looking around me
and let me tell you what I see,
I see children playing and people laughing
there is no sadness that is surrounding me…
My life may have been filled with sadness
and at times I wanted to yell so loud,
But one thing you can be sure of,
I am a man, who will forever be,
STANDING PROUD!
Estella F. Saldivar
8/30/06
Midi Song
" Morning Light "
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"Standing Proud "
