Story Twelve: Por decisión del destino/ By Fate’s Choice

One day, the narrator receives a call from her dad asking if she’d like to travel to the United States. She is faced with a difficult decision, not wanting to leave her mother and siblings behind. In the end, she decides to go to the U.S., meditating on the beauty life has brought her and the gratitude she feels toward God for placing this journey in her path. 

Pre-reading:

  • Did you ever get a special phone call from someone? Who was it? Where were you? Was this phone call a surprise or did you expect it?
  • Sometimes people say we get choices and we must choose the “Lesser of the two evils”, (eligiendo el menor de dos males). That means that neither choice is really good, but you have to choose the one that will give you less difficulties, even if you really do not know the future. What was a difficult choice you once had to make? Why was this choice so difficult?
  • Did you ever spend time without access to a phone, when you could not communicate with anyone you know and love?  How did that feel? Can you imagine what you would feel if that happened to you for a few days?

Post-reading:

  • Special days like birthdays and Christmas are especially difficult for this writer to be separated from her beloved family.  What are some things the writer could do to feel better on special days?
  • Do you think the writer has hope? What are some examples that prove this to you?
  • What gives you hope when you’re feeling sad and alone?