Posted by Mili on October 31, 1998 at 03:01:19:
I can honestly say my brother Eddie, my sister Frances and myself never had it good while we were young. As you all probably know we were raised in an "orphanage" on Staten Island. The Immaculate Conceoption was the name of this place in Mount Loretto.
I will "NEVER" blame my parents. I loved my mother so much and my father I adored him. To this day I always think of them. Especially my wonderful father whose heart was pure gold. He was very sick, as well as my mother. My father always made the sacrifice of visiting us every Sunday. On his visits he would bring us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We were very poor. How I wish he were alive today so I can say, "I LOVE YOU DADDY." My mother was a wonderful pianist and it was here talent that kept food on the table after we finally came out to return home. My poor father was wheelchair ridden and could not work.
Anyhow, I was in Mount Loretto from the age of 4 until I reached my 11th birthday. I was love starved as we had no one to hold us or say I love you. They were not aware of the beatings we got and viciously we were treated. We were kicked, punched, dragged through the floor. We would kneel for hours and hours if one person was naughty we all got punished for it. My beautiful long hair was cut to a crew cut. My sisters hair was totally shaved off. I was deafened in my left ear from a blow to my head and ear from one of the beatings I received. I was only 4 1/2 years old when this happened. I was in the hospital for God knows how long. My sister Frances was in the hospital for 3 weeks. On the boys side they would be tied to the trees by the priests and beaten. The girls side were the nuns. This is just a drop in the bucket so to speak.
I was always close to Norma and Jr. Norma was actually my best friend and I always looked forward to seeing her. She would give me her pretty dresses which were always taken away from me by these nuns. I was also very close to Titi Yolanda after we got out. I enjoyed staying in her house on Staten Island and playing with Yolandita and Dianita. Michael was the youngest so I didn't play much with him except looked for his hugs.
While I was in Mount Loretto, I was in every "drama" play. I would remember the entire script from the entire cast. I also became a rather good singer and went on TV and won a contest. But Mount Loretto took the money and I never saw any of it. We never had Christmas or birthdays while we were there. When they had inspections from their higher ups they would let us wear something decent and we were always told if we say anything that goes on we would never life to remember. So our growing up was not too nice and we were in fear constantly. Yet!!!! I always prayed and begged "JESUS" to help me. I always temember how i would get on my knees and put my head down and say "oh Jesus please please please help me get out of here." My sister Frances was their for only 4 years since she was only 52 pounds at the age of 11. So they shipped her off to California for medical reasons. She was actually with TB signs. I was too young to know all the truths.
I can say this made me a better person. I tell my children everyday I love them over and over and over. I have my grandson Enrique living with me. I hug him "ALL" day long and love him to death. I get all his love and it makes me feel wonderful.
My Mother and Father I will always love. I have NEVER put blame to either of them. I know they loved me with all their hearts. If they could see me now, they would be proud. I don't smoke, or drink (a glass of wine when I eat out)and I have never seen a drug in my life. I have made many mistakes in my life. But I have "Jesus" on my side. He is my strenght.
DADDY I LOVE YOU WHERE EVER YOU ARE. MAMI I LOVE YOU TOO JUST AS MUCH AS I LOVE DADDY. MILI