Christmas highlights the difference in the American dream for two different immigrant families
Traditions and faith make for happy holidays MURRAY — The Christmas season is one during which families around the world gather to celebrate. Hispanic families take this season very seriously, even more because many of them have their families far away, in other countries. Even some families that have come to the United States in the search of a ‘better life’ have struggled, with difficulty finding jobs or with immigration issues or with health concerns. However, some families have been able to find stability in this adversity. That is the case of the Rigodeora family, who came to the United States from El Salvador 10 years ago. As parishioners of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Parish in West Valley City, they are very grateful to God for all the things that they have. Most of all, they said, they are grateful for being together. "We love this season; our kids are getting really excited," said Dolores Rigodeora, who with her husband, Sergio, has three children. The Rigodeoras have a particular way of celebrating this season. Sergio has an ability to work with wood, and every Christmas he takes advantage of that ability and designs toys for their kids. Dolores, on the other hand, loves to take the children to the Posadas and to the different events that the season brings. "While Sergio does the toys, my oldest child and I start decorating the house," said Dolores. The vivid colors of the season are all over their house and you can feel the joy that it brings to all them. "Even though we are not with our family in El Salvador, we are here together, and God has given us many, many gifts so we are ready to receive him once again this season," said Sergio. Dolores remembers that when they were at El Salvador, all her family members gathered together and decorated a Christmas tree. Now she does the same with her kids and husband. "The traditional dinner of Christmas consists of roasted turkey or chicken, which is served with local rice and potato salad," said Dolores, who anticipates her family will have the same type of food this year in Utah. "Christmas celebration in El Salvador also consists of various functions. Major theater and entertainment groups stage dramas and entertainment performances during this season. Other forms of entertainment are also held, like film shows," said Sergio. Here in Utah, even though there are no such events as they are accustomed to, the Rigodeoras try to find places where they can take their kids to see representations of Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem. "We are just very grateful to God for all what he has given us. Even though at times it has been hard, all in all we are a very lucky family," said Dolores. The Rigodeoras have felt welcomed in a strange country and their faith has kept them united, happy and strong. "We know that if you have a lot of faith and keep on going, at some point the bad turns good," said Sergio. Scraping up cheer despite struggles (Editor’s note: Names have been changed to protect the family’s privacy.) MURRAY – The Christmas season is lived in different ways in every family and not always is it a joyful celebration. When Pedro and Juana met seven years ago in Mexico, they had big plans for what they wanted for their family. After some thought, they both decided to come to the United States. They paid a couple thousand dollars to come across the border without papers in search of jobs and a better future for their children. Pedro arrived in Arizona first and started working as a contractor. Juana and their children joined him a few months later. After a while they moved to Utah, where some friends offered Pedro a job as a mechanic, which he used to do in Mexico. "I thought that was going to give us stability, so we moved," said Pedro, who with his family attends Saints Peter and Paul Parish in West Valley City. But things were about to go downhill. Pedro’s boss got deported, so the car workshop was closed, leaving him jobless. "I have tried as much as I can to find another job," said Pedro, "but times are really hard." In the meantime, Juana is the one bringing some money home by cleaning houses. "But it’s not enough; we are four people and our kids are growing," said Juana, estimating that she makes $60 to $80 a week. This Christmas season they just hope to have some food on their table and a roof over their heads. ‘This was for sure not how we expected to live," said Pedro. "It’s not what I want for my family." "I go to church and pray and pray so all this will change and we will be able to keep on going," said Juana, who has suggested to Pedro that the family return to Mexico. "We don’t have anything there, either," Pedro said. Meanwhile, some of their neighbors have stepped in and helped them as much as they can. "We have got some clothes and shoes for our kids, as well as some toys," said Juana. "They are used but in good condition so I have hidden some and we will use them for this Christmas." In their apartment Juana and her kids have been sewing ornaments so they can put up some decorations for the holidays, and they might even put up a tree that one of the neighbors has offered them. "One of the families that goes to the parish asked if we wanted a Christmas tree that they have in storage, so I said we would," said Pedro, who wishes that times will get better and all their dreams and hopes will come true at some point. "We just need to keep on going and hopefully one day things will change."
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