Nataliya's Stories

I waited all night for my aunt to come home and tell me that my dad was okay, and when she came, I felt relieved and worried. She told me that my dad was okay, but he had suffered a stroke and he had to stay at the hospital for some time. I wanted to see my dad so bad, but my aunt told me that I couldn’t visit him yet.

I everyday I would hope to go see him, and finally on the sixths day my aunt took me to see him. When I came in my dad’s hospital room, I saw his face light up with joy. I was so happy to see him, and knowing that he was getting better. I held my tears back, because I didn’t want my dad to get sad. I stayed with him for thirty minutes and then I left.

He was at the hospital for nine days. After he left the hospital he stayed at my aunt’s for two days, so that she can keep him in check. But when my dad finally came back home, I saw that he missed his actual home. Since then he has been doing better. But started paying more attention to many small things he does so that he can stay strong and healthy.

In the summer of 2018, my dad had a stroke. It was August and very hot. My dad being a very hard working person in general, had lots of work of work to do in August. He had to go to his regular job, and had to do other things. The only day he had off was Sunday. But that was definitely not enough time for him to relax.

The day before his stroke there was no signs of him feeling sick. It was until the morning that he felt sick. He said that he felt really dizzy, and that it was hard for him to move. When he had his stroke, my mom, my brother, and I had no idea what was happening. So what we did was call my aunt who is a nurse, to come to our house as fast as possible.

When my aunt arrived, she called 911. She thought that the way my dad was feeling was really weird, and that there was no time to wait. The ambulance came a few minutes later, and everyone left with my dad except me. About twenty minutes later my aunt called me, and told me to go to her house and stay with my cousins. But I didn’t think that I would have to spend the rest of my summer vacation at her house.

Most kids have lots of memories from kindergarten, and they sometimes mention them years later. But I never really went to kindergarten. I was only in kindergarten for about 2-3 weeks, and let me tell you, those memories were not the best.

The first day I came, I was full of excitement. Until one girl walked right on top of my legs. She told that I did not belong in that group, and that I should leave. I was a careless kid, so I just ignored her and tried to enjoy my day. To me the day was good, except the fact that the girl was annoying me.

When I came back home my head felt really itchy. So my parents checked my head and they found LICE! They were so mad, because they knew that it was definitely from my kindergarten. The next day my parents came back to my kindergarten, and told my teachers about the lice situation. The teachers told them that most of the kids in my group had lice. My parents were furious that they were not informed about that situation.

After that my parents only brought me back a few times. But that was only when it was holiday celebrations/performances. I honestly have to say it was more fun when I didn’t go to my kindergarten. That is why I never really went to kindergarten.

When I was about seven my great grandmother passed away. She lived a long and healthy life, which she loved to spend with her family. My parents would often leave me with her when they went to work, which was why she was so close to me.

When I was four she moved to America with my aunt and a few other relatives. I missed her so much and could not wait to see her again. After three years she moved back to Ukraine. I was so happy to see her again. I knew that I would finally be able to spend time with her again.

A few months passed and my great grandmother started to get sick. I didn’t think much of it, because I knew she was strong and would be well soon. But she sadly didn’t get better. She passed away in March of 2012. It has been 7 years without her, and I still miss her so much. But I am sure that I will remember her for the rest of my life.

The first flight was Ukraine to Germany. I was a little a scared of planes. But the flight wasn’t that bad, except the fact that I choked while eating my food. Once I got to Germany, I had to wait for about five hours for my second flight. My second flight was Germany to New Jersey. I couldn’t wait to finally get to America.

Five hours passed, and it was time for us to board the plane. My mom and I sat in the same row, while my brother and my dad sat in a different row. I was sleeping for most of that ten hour flight, but when I wasn’t sleeping I was watching movies. Then we officially landed in America. I was so tired but ahead of me was my last flight to my new home. My family and I waited in New Jersey and then came our flight to Boston.

Once I was on the plane to Boston, I fell asleep right away. I remember my mom waking me up, and telling me that we arrived. I got out of the plane really happy to know that I was going to see my relatives who already lived in America. I am so glad that I got the opportunity to come to America.

I am originally from Ukraine. When I came to America, I was 9 years old. I never thought that I would end up here. In fact when I had English class in school, I would always say that I will never use English in my life. I was obviously wrong.

When I found out I was moving to America, I was super excited. I remember myself jumping up and down, and running around my apartment. But once I knew I was coming here, things had to change. I had to go to a tutor every week who would help me learn English faster. I had to spend as much time as I could with my friends and family. But the most important thing was enjoying my time in Ukraine.

The last days that I had in Ukraine passed and on September 9th my family and I headed to the airport. We said goodbye to my uncle who drove us to the airport, and then we checked in for our flight.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton