The soaked shoes!

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Several days ago, on my way home, driving a car we bought after three years of living in Canada, under the privilege of heating and comfort, and in the pouring rain, I saw a six-year-old boy running with his father, holding some bags in their hands, trying to dodge the heavy rain with his little steps.

They had no umbrellas and were unprotected. The father was doing his best to shield his child, but it was clear they would arrive home soaked, and there was nothing I could do to prevent it. As I waited for the traffic light to change, I thought about the possibility of helping them, but it would be strange for a complete stranger to offer them a ride home, and I also wasn’t in a position to catch up with them since they were walking in the opposite direction.

The light changed, I turned away from the father and son, and continued on my way home. During those seven minutes of my journey, I couldn’t stop thinking about that boy. I remembered the times when we first arrived in Canada and I didn’t have any vehicle to do groceries. I had to walk for twenty minutes with my two children, aged six and ten, to the supermarket. I valued the sunny days, but not the 40-degree temperatures when the sun harshly hit our faces and made it hard to breathe. I appreciated the cool days, but not the days when my kids got drenched in the rain while helping me carry the groceries because even taking an Uber cost more than we could afford.

I recalled that during those days I felt grateful for having made it to Canada, but our lives were filled with daily challenges and sometimes significant financial shortfalls where we had to count every penny to stretch our finances as much as possible. I assume that father, walking in the rain, is also grateful for living in a freer and fairer country, but he feels the same pain of seeing his child's shoes filled with water while others, like me, rejoice in the privilege of being protected and having enough so our children's shoes don’t get soaked.

So I began to think about the connection we, everyday immigrants, share unintentionally. Those of us who managed to get here with great effort, who saved money to arrive but couldn’t afford to live. Those of us who accept low-paying jobs, physical work, and mistreatment just to put food on the table. Those of us who invest in  education, but have to choose between paying for school or eating. Although I know there are many people who arrive here with enough money to pay for their education and live without working for a year, there are also many who have not lived under privilege but persist for their children to achieve it. Or many who have not had financial support from others and come completely alone to face their personal struggles without help from anyone.

It’s good to know there is hope, that the child I saw in the rain will be just fine in a few years because his parents are surely thinking about his well-being and future by bringing him here. Because those parents will undoubtedly continue to push forward until they achieve everything they want. But how wonderful it would be to provide support, even if small, to all these immigrant brothers and sisters whose lives, though distant from ours, are connected to ours in some way.


Martha Navarro

Hello! I’m Martha Navarro, a proud Colombian who made the leap to Canada in 2020. As an immigrant, I’ve navigated the ups and downs of starting anew in a foreign land, facing challenges that many of us know all too well. This blog is my little corner of the internet where I share my experiences, insights, and stories. I believe that while the immigrant journey can be tough, it also brings us together in unexpected ways. Through my words, I hope to connect with others who may be feeling isolated or overwhelmed. You're not alone—we share a bond that transcends borders. Join me as we explore the immigrant experience, celebrate our resilience, and find comfort in our shared stories. Together, we can create a supportive community where we uplift each other and remind ourselves that we are all connected.

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