Esperanza,
I am so grateful for what for us, you family and you contribution in the upbringing of your sister. Your strength to leave is an inspiration to her, as well as me and your father. Not to mention the entire neighborhood. You have escaped the wretched confines of our poverty and done well out in the world. For that I am proud. Though I was sad to see you go, I am extremely happy you are living a life you love. We think of you every night before bed. You did what I could not and finished your schooling and become the model that I could not be for the rest of your siblings. What you have done has left so deep an impact on our family you will never even begin to fathom the positive consequences of your actions. I did not always think you could do it though. For a moment in time, I believed you to be doomed as was your friend Sally. You were so obsessed with escaping the neighborhood that I feared you would marry into an unhappy relationship. I was glad to see that you learned from her mistakes, and also from mine. Your father and I are so very proud of you and what you have done. We wish you the best of luck and while I miss you, for now I can only say to continue to do what you love. But don’t forget your roots. Don’t forget the poverty from which you came. Do this and you will fare well. Come visit us sometime, maybe by then we will finally have our dream house.
Love,
Mother.