My Mami, My Hero

By Anon / Spring 2026

“Now arriving, Blue Line to UTC”, the trolley comes to a stop. With every step I take, my heart starts to beat faster. I feel my pulse more intense, my hands start to shake and become moist, as the trolley speeds through the tracks, my thoughts become dark. I feel alone, and scared, I don’t know if I belong in this unknown place, all of this is a feeling I’ve known before. Looking out the window, I see a much smaller version of myself. Memories flood back.

My hands are small, but they aren't alone. They're holding onto my moms warm and delicate hands. I look up, I see her thick chocolate brown hair, her face held a big smile and kind eyes. I find comfort in her presence. I don’t want to be apart from her so, I cry and beg, “mami, quedate conmigo.”

I’m very young and new to the country, all the other students already knew English, everyone except me. Mami encourages me, “todo va a estar bien.”, I stretch my small arms up to her, her eyes became glossy, her hug was tighter than ever, but I’m convinced by her words. Everything will be okay, Mami dressed me with the best armor.

I’m on my way to kindergarten, hand in hand with mami. This time my armor shines brighter. I am comfortable speaking English and playing with different kids. Mami's hands feels warmer, and I can’t tell whose hand was sweating. I assume I’m the only anxious one because, like a broken record mami says, “todo va a estar bien”. Mami gives me a kiss on the forehead and whispers “te amo”, we wave goodbye as I take my first steps into school.

“Next station, UC San Diego Central Campus stop!”, the speakers in the trolley blare. I snap back into reality. My heart is about to beat out of my chest, my legs feel like jello, uncertainty hits me once again. The same way as 10 years ago, again, I am looking for mami. Mami picks the phone up, “Is everything okay?”, I feel a lump in my throat and my vision becomes blurry, “I don't know, I'm not sure I can do this, what if I don’t fit in? What if I fail?”. Through the phone I hear mami take a deep breath, “Todo va a estar bien mi niña”, my heart starts to slow, those words have never deceived me. As I walk into this campus, mami's words reassure me. She tells me I am stronger than ever, I got here with my own resilience, hard work and determination. Deep down I know I’m here because of her. My mami planted the seeds of confidence and now I am able to stand on my own two feet.