By Beatrice Duerme, January 31, 2019 – In the year of 2005 is when I became a citizen of the United States of America. It was the happiest day if my life. Prior to becoming a US citizen, I would come to America to visit my daughter and her family visit on my tourist visa. During my stay, I was able to see many amazing sites that America had to offer. I was able to go to New York, Niagara Falls, and Washington, DC.
Back home in the Philippines, before my husband passed, we owned a convenience store together for 25 years. It was inherited to me from my mother. I loved that store and never thought I would see the day it would no longer be in my possession. I closed the store due to the passing of my husband and I knew that the manual labor would be too much for me to do by myself.
Once the convenience store closed, I worked in a local bakery. I enjoyed this job a lot but as the years went by, along with the number of goodies I ate during my time working at the bakery, I developed diabetes. From here, my daughter decided that it would be best for me to move to New Jersey and live with her and her family so she can monitor my health. I was excited! Not because I had diabetes but because I finally was on my way to living in America! It was a bittersweet feeling for me to leave the Philippines. Many of my friends and family live here but I was excited to see some of the family members and friends that I haven’t seen in a while who live in America. I helped out around the house and helped my grandchildren get ready for school when they were young children. I became a certified care giver and would care for an elderly woman who was on hospice. I loved that job because the family was so nice and caring. They loved that they did not have to tell me what do to, I would just do it. I was a natural at being a caregiver. Although the elderly woman passed away, her daughter and I still exchange Christmas gifts till this day.
Now, I am part of the Silver Time Adult Day Care. I enjoy my time here very much. The bus picks me up from my daughter’s home and takes me to Silver Time Adult Day Care. I have many friends here of all different races and backgrounds. The best part about Silver Time is that it is free! I receive a free breakfast and lunch. We play Bingo and do arts and crafts during my stay there. Every Wednesday and Friday, we take a trip! Sometimes we go to Shoprite, Walmart, or Walgreens. I am grateful for the time I spend at Silver Time because it allows me to get out of the house, meet new people and they always have really good food.