“I’m going to America”
I remember how excited and naive I was, saying this to my friends in my class in school. We were still kids, 14-15 years old. During a break sitting at the end of the class on chairs and talking about this mysterious country that we were only aware of from geography and the fact that it was far, far away from our country; also, promised to bring gifts and we discussed what I was going to do there. I said I wanted to learn the language well and to start working. It was easy back then, talking all about these things but the reality was much more difficult and challenging.
______
In Georgia, while I was there because of my family’s economic situation my dad went to Russia to work for 5-6 years. He only used to come home once or twice a year. It feels like Russia took my dad from me. My mom was taking care of me and my brother. The family was divided and finally, when we got a chance to be together by getting the U.S. green card my parents work-life situation didn’t change, only their roles.
______
Before we moved my mom was the caregiver and my dad the breadwinner. This changed; my mom became the breadwinner and my dad the caregiver. He couldn’t find a job for half a year.
Now, I had time with my dad and not my mom. I didn’t see her much. Then instead of the situation getting better, it worsened. My dad started working and they were both gone all the time. And that increased my responsibilities because I had to do the housework, and I had a younger brother to take care of.
My Family. Georgia, Khazbegi, 2013.