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THE SPACES WE GROW UP IN RELATE TO US AS A PERSON

How do the Spaces We Grow Up in Relate to Us as a Person?

Timothy Brolsma

DeVry University

THE SPACES WE GROW UP IN RELATE TO US AS A PERSON

Growing up I lived in two different homes an apartment, and a house. I dont remember too much about the apartment I lived in, as I was only five years old when we moved out. To this day, I know where it can be found in Garfield, on a corner street above a small polish convenience store, which I still visit every once in a while. Of the things I do remember is how we got into the apartment through the rear entrance into the building. Opening the heavy, white metal door left you in tiny corridor just before a stairwell. Climbing up and around all the stairs would leave you at the front door to our small apartment. I hated those stairs; dragging my battery powered four wheeler up and down was not a fun task for me or my mother. I have a hard time recalling what the apartments layout was like exactly, however I do remember my own room very vividly. It was a small room the walls were painted white and it was shaped oddly, two adjoining walls connected to shape an L and on the other side half of an octagon. Located in the center of the octagon wall was a small stained glass window in the top corner which the early sunrise would shine through creating a rainbow of colors on my walls and dusty brown shag carpet. I remember how my mattress sat on the floor with no frame or box spring. I also recall how most of the furniture in my room was made by my uncle Joe, a carpenter. As we could not afford to go and buy any furniture from the store. My toy box, my dresser and even the rack that held up my clothes in the closet all made by my uncle. I did not have a TV in my room, we had one television and it was in the living room. Living in a small apartment like Edwidge Danticat, helps me to sympathize with her story.

THE SPACES WE GROW UP IN RELATE TO US AS A PERSON

In the short story Westbury Court, by Edwidge Danticat she explores the lifestyle of living in a small apartment with her family. One of the things I understand from the story is how her and her family had very little money. Living with my family in the small apartment, the same rang true for us as well. We had very little money and things were always tight. I remember having to go eat at my grandparents house at least four times a week and my parents arguing about how they were going to make the rent. My father worked in construction full-time; sometimes even late into the night, coming home covered in dirt, dust, and whatever else was floating around on the job-sites. Working hard just to make sure my mother and I always had a roof to sleep under at night. By the time I had turned five my father had started his own construction company and my mother found a full time job as an office manager. We moved up in the world; into a two family house with a backyard and swing set, a few years later we even got a pool. When we first moved in the house seemed huge: two bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and a basement. Later on the basement was converted into my play room and after that my bedroom after my sister was born. The house also had a large backyard with a swing-set. Having my own backyard to play in was something I had not grasped right away, my mother would call me in at night and I would refuse to come inside in fear that my backyard would not be there in the morning. Living in the apartment my mother would always take me to the park on the weekends but now I had my own park to play in and I did not have to wait to play on the swings.

THE SPACES WE GROW UP IN RELATE TO US AS A PERSON

My new bedroom was upstairs next to my parents room and it was much larger than my previous bedroom. This time in the shape of a perfect rectangle. I received almost all new furniture to go in my new bedroom, two dressers and a new bed with frame and box spring. The only things I kept from the old apartment was my hand made toy box and the toys that were in it. My father still worked late but now he was home before the sun would set. Life became easier on all of us. There was less arguing, food in the fridge, and the bills were always paid... well almost always. I no longer had to go to my grandparents house just to have dinner. Now they would come by our house and sit in the backyard on the patio every weekend, enjoying the view of Garret Mountain. Growing up and watching my parents work day in and day out; five, six, seven days a week helped to strengthen my core values. I know what is important to me in my life from watching my parents struggle and succeed. Providing for my wife, future children and my puppy is what I have learned matters the most. Sometimes in order to do that you have to be able to push yourself beyond what limits you think you are capable of. Seeing my father come home from work no matter how tired or hungry, he always had a smile on and was always happy to see my mother and me. He was always happy to provide for us. A part of that was instilled in me growing up. I do my best to get up every morning and go to work. Ill work in the rain, Ill work when I am sick, and Ill go to work no matter what. I strive to provide the best life I possibly can for my entire family. Now today and every day I try my best at everything I do.

THE SPACES WE GROW UP IN RELATE TO US AS A PERSON

References Danticat, E. (n.d.). Westbury court. Retrieved October 19, 2013, from http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0 CCkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fenglish.basd.k12.wi.us%2Fmocarski%2Fcollegeenglish% 2FWESTBURYCOURT.rtf&ei=xYhiUrqgK8HCywHNnoDYAQ&usg=AFQjCNFy7xbfGmwRgg Md1JrUqF6a7tQUaw