Ever since I was a little boy, all I have ever known has been the streets. My mother was a single Hispanic female trying to raise four kids on her own. She tells me one of the best decisions she made was moving from Puerto Rico. The reason she did what she did was because she wanted us to have a better life. Little did she know how hard it was going to be. As time passed on, we started growing and getting smarter. Since my mother was never around, always working two jobs to take care of us, we started hanging around in the streets. I say that was the beginning of my history. I didn't have a father figure, other than my brother and his friends, who at that time were no good, but that was all I knew. So being the smart, but dumb kid that I was, I learned quickly to do everything they did. This was not the best decision I made. Now, that I look back, I say "man, that was dumb and stupid" but you couldn't tell me any different. I was blinded by lies and more lies. Being caught up in this 'macho' man attitude was taking me straight to the grave. Ask me if I cared at the time, "Heck no." One thing I make sure I don't do is forget where I came from and who helped me to get there. The reason why is because it has made me the man I am now.

It wasn't easy for me growing up in these streets, but I never used that as an excuse. I always tried to keep thinking positive in so many aspects of my life. Even now, I try to hope that there is more to this world than just Worcester. Most of the stupid choices I made were basically to please other people because that pleased me. Time passes thanks to God and having a good mother and all the advice she gives me. I knew in my heart I had to be different from others. I couldn't follow in anyone else's footsteps.

One peak in my life which made my eyes open like never before was having my first child. I quickly realized it is time to stop being a boy and become a man. I can't be in the streets any more. I have to take care of my responsibilities.