The Holes in My Heart | Teen Ink

The Holes in My Heart MAG

July 30, 2008
By Anonymous

As a child in Cambodia, life was difficult. It went from bad to worse when my mother got sick. As usual, my father left us and went someplace else. I hardly ever saw him. I loved my ­father and maybe I still do. He wasn’t a nice man, though. He used to hit us, especially my mom. I never knew what we did wrong. Maybe the alcohol took over his mind.

One time after he left, I overheard people talking about how he had fallen in love and gotten married all over again. I never saw him after that.

Meanwhile, my poor mother’s heart was slowly melting. She was paralyzed because my dad hit her so much. She couldn’t move half of her body. So, at the age of six, I took care of her and my two brothers and sister. We had no money and lived in a very rural area without electricity and water. I had to cook, clean, beg for rice, and be the mother of the family. I rarely went to school.

I think my mom had seen me suffer enough. I’d had enough too! So, to make things easier, my mom sent my sister and one of my brothers to live with relatives in another village. People in Cambodia often take care of relatives’ children. I missed them but knew they were being cared for. I was the oldest, so I stayed; my mother needed me to take care of her and my baby brother, Long.

For a while it was just Long, my mother, and I. But then my brother, who was less than a year old, was very sick and skinny. One day I came home and Long wasn’t there. My mom said she had given him away to someone who said they could take care of him. He wasn’t coming back.

I was sad and confused but didn’t ask too many questions. I knew it must have been difficult for her, and we had no money for food or doctors to help Long. We didn’t know where he had gone, but my mom trusted the stranger who took him away, and hoped – we both hoped – that he would be safe and healthy.

My mom and I went on with our lives. We loved each other very much, but we suffered silently day ­after day. We were still struggling with hardly any money or food, and we missed Long terribly but ­never talked about him.

One afternoon, about a year after Long left, we ­received some good news. A man from the city came to our village and told us that a family in the United States had adopted my baby brother. He showed us pictures. My brother, now named Shane, was smiling, wearing nice clothes, and looking very healthy. Even though we missed him and life was hard for us, my mom and I were so happy to know that my brother was okay.

My peace did not last long. One night I had a horrible dream that my mom left me. I was crying and I couldn’t stop. I cried for such a long time that I woke my mother. I told her what I had dreamt. She said that she would never leave me.

Weeks passed, and then my nightmare came true. My mother died of a stroke. I blame my dad because of the injuries he gave her. Thinking about it now, I hate him.

I wish I could have done something. But when I saw my mother collapse, time passed so quickly I didn’t know what to do. I was only eight! The day my mother died, I didn’t cry because I didn’t know what death was. I did cry when they buried her. I knew at that moment that I would never see her again.

After my mother died, one of my aunts took me in. She was very poor, just like my mother. She was mean, and I think she was mad that she had to take care of me, but I had nowhere else to go.

One day the man who had brought the pictures of my baby brother came to visit again. It had taken him a long time to find us because I had moved. He was sad to hear that my mother had died. Then he gave me new clothes, a doll, and more pictures of my brother. My aunt asked him if the family who adopted my brother would want to adopt me too. The man turned to me and asked if I wanted to go live with my brother in the United States. Even though I didn’t know what to expect, I said yes. He said he would find out if it was possible. I waited for what seemed like forever. I started to think that maybe the American family did not want me.

But that wasn’t the case.

About a year later, the Americans who had adopted my brother finally came for me. As I now know, there is a lot of paperwork involved with adoption. They had to get permission from my family, the Cambodian government, and the United States government before they could come to get me.

The first time I saw my new parents was in a hotel lobby. I told the translator that they had long noses. I didn’t know I was being rude; I just wasn’t used to seeing Caucasian people. I was really nervous around them. I think they were nervous too. I didn’t smile until we went to the hotel room and my new mom showed me the clothes she had brought me. My face lit up fast! We didn’t talk much because I didn’t know how to speak English, but she made flash cards with pictures to help us communicate.

The day we left Cambodia I was filled with emotions. I was eager, worried, upset, and confused because I didn’t know where we were going and I had never been on a plane before. All I remember about my trip was that I threw up for most of the 21-hour flight. It was like the plane was a gigantic sickening machine. It felt as though the trip would never end.

When we landed in the United States I was so ­happy. After we waited in a bunch of lines, we walked out of the airport. The air was a lot colder than in Cambodia. In the distance, I saw a strange man waving at us. He looked excited and happy. I ­also saw a little boy next to him. I knew immediately it was my brother. I didn’t act excited to see him ­because I was still feeling so sick from the plane, but I was really thrilled.

My new grandpa drove us to my new home. In the car I looked out the window and saw strange yet beautiful houses. I kept peeking at my brother. He was now three years old and looked so clean and healthy compared to the last time I had seen him. At that moment I knew that I was going to be happy again.

And that is where I am now. The nightmares have ended because of two wonderful people who adopted my brother Shane and me. Adjusting to life in the United States wasn’t easy, but getting adopted is the most beautiful feeling. Even though we are not related by blood, I knew from that first day that my dad and mom cared about me very much. They filled up all the holes in my heart.



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This article has 184 comments.


on Dec. 26 2009 at 5:39 pm
Adrenalinejunkie52 SILVER, Sweet Home, Oregon
5 articles 0 photos 29 comments

Favorite Quote:
geez louise!
Hot Dang!!
Wasshupp?!!? (wuh-shup)
Hey You!

WOW:) i love your plot for the story

on Dec. 25 2009 at 3:28 pm
That1LostGirl SILVER, St.george, Kansas
6 articles 0 photos 12 comments

Favorite Quote:
if hate is such a powerful word then why do we say love like its nuthing?...

this story was ahmazing! you are so strong. god bless

on Nov. 11 2009 at 6:43 pm
Klewis1226 SILVER, Rosedale, New York
8 articles 0 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
Never take life to seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyways.

this is a beautiful story .. simply amazing ..

on Nov. 11 2009 at 1:37 pm
:)Corynn! BRONZE, Dell Rapids, South Dakota
4 articles 0 photos 6 comments
This article was amazing!! I can't even imagine going through what you went through.

on Nov. 8 2009 at 4:20 pm
CaseyLeigh PLATINUM, Moraga, California
31 articles 6 photos 137 comments

Favorite Quote:
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to.

I'm choking up--this article is beautiful.

on Oct. 7 2009 at 5:59 pm
day-dreamer BRONZE, Roby, Texas
2 articles 0 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
The quality, not the longevity of someones life is what is important the most.
`Martin Luther King

touched. i was really touched tears were rolling down my cheeks from the beginning of the story.. i could say i know how you feel but truthfully i wouldn't have anything in common with you. words don't explain how good this story is

on Sep. 18 2009 at 7:48 pm
Madi_Jewels SILVER, Mount Laurel, New Jersey
5 articles 0 photos 46 comments
i was honestly touched beyond belief. i want to feel sorry for you for losing your mom and then not having a caring father but you gained so much from it--- a loving mother AND father and you brother. I wish the best to you and your brother.

C-Rose. said...
on Sep. 17 2009 at 9:38 am
This was amazingggggg.

on Sep. 6 2009 at 5:49 pm
Lita_Marie BRONZE, Omaha, Nebraska
1 article 0 photos 1 comment
I think this was the best article ever I wish i was friends with her.

on May. 5 2009 at 6:56 pm
daisydee123 SILVER, Gotham City, Illinois
5 articles 19 photos 66 comments
very good very happy and well writen love the ending!

JessB. BRONZE said...
on Apr. 25 2009 at 1:54 pm
JessB. BRONZE, Dallas, Texas
4 articles 31 photos 49 comments

Favorite Quote:
"There is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still!"
- Corrie ten Boom

God bless you! If you don't already know about Jesus Christ, I suggest you look Him up. He binds up the broken-hearted and sets the captives free. :)

Deeeeena said...
on Apr. 12 2009 at 7:33 pm
it is a great story. maybe you should consider writing a book.

kumiko BRONZE said...
on Apr. 11 2009 at 11:32 pm
kumiko BRONZE, Moreno Valley, California
3 articles 0 photos 4 comments
o my goodness...im so happy u found someone who loves and cares for you! im terribly sorry about ur mother, i just recently lost my dad so i know the pain of losing a parent. im sure ur mother is happy that ur happy!...if that makes sense...

on Apr. 11 2009 at 1:47 am
great story.kinda rminds me of my mom nd her family except the adopting part.excellent though.

on Apr. 10 2009 at 1:43 am
horseluva BRONZE, Midlothian, Virginia
4 articles 0 photos 46 comments
i am so glad that u and ur bro were reunited.keep writing.

twilightfan said...
on Jan. 28 2009 at 12:20 am
I am so sorry about your life that is so sad and horrible what happened to you and sorry about your mom you are very brave and strong for going through all of that. I am so happy that you have a family that treats you right. I hope peace and happiness is with you for the rest of your life!

Lois said...
on Jan. 7 2009 at 12:35 pm
What a wonderful story with a awesome ending! WOW! I am so happy you can now write about you experience coming to America! May you life be filled with great health and happiness! You have excellent writing skills! BRAVO!!!

on Dec. 11 2008 at 2:01 am
i rearly read nonfiction in Teenink, but something about the title drew me in and when i read your story i cried. I respect your bravery for letting complete strangers read about your personal secrets. It was a very well written story and i am so glad you are in a better place now.

tweedle de said...
on Dec. 10 2008 at 2:56 pm
wow i cried this was so sad and heartfelt. i'm so sorry for what you went through, that must have been awful. and i'm so happy that you got this chance and are now happy. thank you so much for reliving this enough to write it, it was beautiful.

babiigirl1 said...
on Dec. 1 2008 at 4:41 pm
wow.... This story was amazing and sad..... It was a great story and im sorry to hear bout yuur mom..... That's horrible!!! This is one of the best stories I have read yet.... Im glad ur in a good place now and that ur able to live with ur bro.... hope things r all good now = ) And i no bout family problems 2.... Im so sorry about this whole thing makes me wanna cry.... I dont know what i could do with out a mom and dad.... hope ur new family treats yuu good!!!!