Power-ball

Quite honestly, I should have started writing this a while ago. I originally planned to start writing this at the conclusion of my first year in university, right on my 19th birthday. 3 years later and we are now at the 22nd birthday at the conclusion of my university life. I finally achieved what I set out for so many years ago. I don't know what to feel, but I do know one thing, and it's that I made it; but I am not stopping here.

My journey over the past couple of years have been an interesting one. Rather, to talk about the previous couple of years, I must talk about the years prior to that. The skyline view of Manhattan is one that people dream of, every night and day, it is one of the most beautiful pieces created by and for man. For the function of living our basic needs, there is little need for such marvel, we only do it is what we want, not need. I was born on a bright and sunny Friday morning on the last day of May, the eve of June. My mother recalls it to be quite pleasant, at least through her rosy pearl covered pupils. As the son of Mexican farmers that found their way to New York, I was unbeknownst to me would be the life of hardship that laid ahead for what I wished to treasure. Born into a low income first generation family has its hurdles, particularly when you’re a minority; the stats don't like to play kindly to that; betting on my future based on those figures wouldn’t net you any gains. 

For 4 years, I had the same view of the Manhattan skyline, most of which was blocked by this Powerball sign on top of a nearby building. I would watch the winnings change every week from my table seated beside the window during my morning history classes. I would watch as the winnings would go up or down everyday, always changing, but always at least a million dollars. We all saw that sign growing up, it was our view of the Manhattan skyline. In a sense, that sign was telling us, that to make it and be successful here was a one in a million chance, much like winning the lotter. What it would mean to win a million dollars, a world changing amount for anyone; what a million dollars would mean for a bunch of low income inner city students in Brooklyn. 

As time passed, and I grew older, that same sign started to be demolished; quite fitting that it occurred during my final year. At first, the digital display showing the winnings was turned off, then the very same structure blocking our views were getting torn down. For once, our view of the skyline was no longer blocked. It was as if we won the lottery and the view of the skyline from our seats was ours to enjoy. Little did I know, my luck wouldn’t stop there. The year 2020 was a hectic mess, despite it, there was much for me to enjoy. I finished high school and started college that year. Coming from a title one school to attending NYU on a full ride is a dream to many but became a reality for me. That was four years ago, and a lot has changed since then.

I initially started writing this from my view on the 8th floor at 2 Metrotech Center, right before one of my classes at NYU Tandon. I sat on the window looking back at my previous four years, and there was much to enjoy and regret. The people I lost filled me with much regret, but the memories of them filled me with much joy. There was many emotions as I wrote this on the last day of the undergrad classes, looking out the window, looking at the same skyline I was looking at when I was a high school student. While I have learned much, I still feel the need to learn more, I still feel young; I hope this feeling doesn’t stop. I write this now, looking at that same skyline, only this time, just a bit higher than before, and a clearer view. I remembered that my mother once told me that we could never celebrate our loved ones on day of the dead properly since our home was too small for them to visit, so I decorated my cap and gown with flowers and butterflies, what else is a bigger space than graduation, my winning ticket. It finally set in, finally felt, that I won the lottery of life, that I won that one in a million chance, I want to make the best of what I can with it; I’m taking everyone I can with me.

05/31/2024 

Charlie Calixto-Ramos

(Happy Birthday)

Jay St/Tillary St, Downtown Brooklyn, NY

11201