Trip To Mexico Personal Narrative

For as long as I can remember, I have been taught to be kind and grateful. I was born in Mexico and moved to Texas when I was two. Growing up, my family wasn’t able to give me many toys, but I always had enough food and clothes. As a seven year old, I thought everyone had this, but I quickly learned that was not the case; I realized many kids were not fortunate enough to have what I did.
Since moving to Texas, we have visited Mexico every summer and winter. I love everything about going back, from the long car rides, to my grandmother’s the face of when she sees us turn the corner. However, I had one very special trip to Mexico when I was seven that is still vivid in my memory. It was three in the morning, and we just started our trip to Mexico. I was uncomfortable and tired. I complained that it was too early to be awake and the big white trash bag on the seat was preventing me laying down. As my mother tried to move the bag, I asked what was in it. She said it was full of my old clothes. She then explained, that unlike me, some kids in Mexico couldn’t afford clothes.

After moving the bag, I was able to rest, but I could not go to sleep.

I could not stop thinking about what my mother had just told me. Was it true? Do some kids not have enough clothes? Do their parents have to wash their clothes every day? If they don’t have clothes do they have shoes? Or Toys? So many questions were racing through my head, but I decided not to ask. Once we arrived at Mexico, I began looking around. For once, I paid attention to what the other kids were wearing. Walking down the narrow street, I saw a boy younger than me who had a hole in his shirt and shoes that were coming apart. I remember noticing how happy he seemed. He wasn’t concerned about what he

had.
After returning from that particular trip, I had a whole different perspective. Once I got home, I gathered all of my toys, the few that I owned, and my clothes and told my mother I wanted to give them away. She said I couldn’t give all of my clothes away because then I wouldn't have any. Surprisingly, as a seven year old, this made me very upset. I started crying and told her that if I didn’t donate my clothes, then the kids will not have anything to wear. She sat me down and gave me a long lecture. I took my clothes back to my room, but left my toys there to be donated next time we went to Mexico.
This experience provided a significant childhood lesson for me. Being kind is something I try to practice every day. One never knows what challenges another person is facing; therefore, it is important to treat everyone with compassion and generosity of spirit. Also to be grateful for everything because not many people are blessed with the same opportunities. I might not have much, but this experience made me appreciate what I do have. I have my parents to thank for making me kind and Mexico for making me grateful.