Window
Look out any window in your home. What would you change about what you see?


As I gaze through the windows in my living room, in the darkness I can see the reflection of the moonlight on our two cars _ my brother's 1991 red Tacoma and my parents' 1997 Corolla. To the right are my neighbor's cars, a Lexus and a Camry. To the left, another neighbor's Probe. rom the bright light of the full moon, I can clearly see the bald spots of my minuscule front lawn. I live in a rather new development of townhouses _ my family's actual first home.

All my life, I have always lived in a house that I could not call my own. Born into a fairly poor family in the Philippines, I _ along with my family _ have always depended on more fortunate relatives. I lived twelve years of my life in what used to be an old office in the attic of my aunt's home. The old office desks and chairs would have given it away, if not for the arrangement of fluorescent lights along the deteriorating ceiling. When our family was finally given the opportunity to move to the United States, we lived with my aunt in Virginia Beach. We later moved in with another aunt in Alexandria. Finally, after two or three years of saving up, my family was able to afford our first home _ a townhouse.

Knowing everything that my family has gone through, I know that we deserve much more than just a townhouse. As I continue looking out this window, I can only dream of that white picket fence, those diagonal mowing-marks on the lawn, that garden that my mom has always imagined, and that dog that my little brother has forever wanted. These are the reasons why I want to succeed in life so much. I want so much more for my family.

After going through my dad's alcoholism, the constant arguments that resulted, and having to leave my eldest brother behind in the Philippines, I know that my family deserves so much more. Having survived all of these experiences, I have set many goals for myself.

One of my life's goals is to build my family a home with that picket fence, those mowing-marks, that garden, and that dog.


Lloyd Guerra
YFC-Maryland/Virginia





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