Qurator's Photo Quest | Dream Family Of My Inner Child

Family, the one that I didn't know when I was little. All I felt was envy from my classmates, cousins and friends. At school; teachers will teach us that family is the happiest place in the world. Consist of a father, mother, sisters, brothers and grandparents. But all I have is my busy mom. I didn't know that she was doing it all for my sake.

The most painful of the kid's version of me was our school programs. My classmates had their mom full supporting them. Taking pictures and putting on make up while I was alone staring at how happy they are.

Then one day my grandmother hated me so badly, I just didn't obey her. She told me I was just their adopted child. It broke me so badly. But I didn't have the courage to ask my real parents. It's like I was punched from the heart. I was in fourth grade when I learned the truth. I just walked away and went to my room. I saw mom and grandma, I heard them. Grandma said she already knows the truth. Me and mom share bedrooms, it was the quiest night I've ever had. Instead of going near her and tell her that; now I know why everytime I asked her where is my father. She'll just tell me his at work and hasn't come back. For 11 years I haven't seen even his shadow.

My non-biological mom and my eldest daughter.

Me and my eldest daughter

Me and my kids

That was the start, I rebelled and seek attention to my friends. My first and second year or grade 7 and grade 8 turned out to be a disaster. I was sent away to the province of my aunt. I studied and finished my high school in that place. Many wondered; if I'm just an only child why my mother will sent me away. I didn't explained myself. I got pregnant before graduating my fourth year. I found the man that taught me what family means.

For twenty two years, we've been trough a lot. We made five children, the eldest is living with my non-biological mom. It's like she's my replacement. She is 19 and next to her is 18 and two boys 15 and 9. But my nine year old is also not at home. My in-laws took it away from me, my husband didn't know what to do. He got ill when it was a baby, we don't have the resources to feed it. After six years I got pregnant with my last child. A beautiful baby girl, my in-law wanted to get it again but my husband didn't allow it this time.

After knowing sir @qurator's theme for this week Family. I don't know if I can fit in. But all that matters to me now is the family that I'm being part. I didn't hid my true identity to my kids. I told them that they are lucky because they have a father that I didn't have. They have siblings that they can play and run to. I'm just been blessed because God gave a family that made my younger child happy.

My previous family is the kind of past that cannot make me feel better. Because until now I still don't know who truly I am.

Thank you for reading

@usagigallardo015