My Family Tree Anita Dickson
My family comes from Russia, America and Cuba.
My biological family is from Magadan, Russia. From what I know, my ancestry goes back to Mongolia. My brother and I were born in Magadan, as were my biological aunt and uncle who live in America now as well.
My biological family's tree.
Out of all the people in my life, my brother, Artur, is the most important in my life. He is the only person who has been with me my whole life and experienced the things I experienced. When we were younger, I felt like a mother to him since we lost our own at a young age, so we are very close. Unlike most siblings, we get along very well. He often comes to me for advice and we encourage and motivate each other. He is very caring and affectionate and is never mean, all which are qualities I admire. In some ways, I wish I was more like him.
I only have 4 living biological relatives, 3 of which I know. My uncle Evan, aunt Julia, and Artur. My aunt and uncle are very important to me because they are my biological mother's siblings. Several years ago I found out that they were adopted many years ago as well and were living in the United States now. I've only had the chance to meet Evan once, an experience that was very surreal. He is so very funny and a lot like my brother. In fact, Artur looks almost exactly as Evan did at his age. I really look up to Evan because although he has lived a rough life and has made several poor life decisions, he is turning his life around and making it better for himself. Because we are only 8 years apart, we keep in touch often and are able to relate to each other. His improvements really motivate me and make me proud.
My aunt Julia is 10 years older than me and has a family of her own now, a husband and 2 daughters. I've never had the chance to meet her but hopefully will be reunited with her and Evan at the same time soon. I admire her a lot because she is so strong and has gone through so much in her life, but continues making it better and better. I love her because not only is she my mother's sister, she tells whatever she remembers about my mother, something that I so greatly appreciate since I no longer remember her anymore.
My brother, and adoptive parents.
My mother's family is from Havana, Cuba, and live in Miami now.
My mother's side.
My mother, aunt (mom's sister), uncle, cousin, and brother.
My father's side.
My cousins and grandma from my dad's side. (From top left to bottom right): Carolyne, Artur, Nana, me, Keelah, Molly Grace, Claire, Jackson,Kate, Lucy, Neil. (Not pictured: Cecylia and Nick)
Another person that truly inspires me is my mom. She moved here from Cuba at the age of 6 (the same age I was when I moved to the U.S.) and grew up very poor, but worked her way through college and worked at the best tax firms. She had a very successful career but gave it up when she adopted my brother and I. She is always showing us endless love and pushing us to be the best that we can be. She makes sure we have the best opportunities, ones she didn't have and ones we wouldn't have had otherwise. She has taught me so much about working hard and taking pride in who you are and everything you do.
My best friend, Irene, is from Medellin, Colombia.
My best friend, Irene, is my closest and most trustworthy friend. Although she is not my blood, I consider her a part of my family. She is from Colombia and we met about almost 3 years ago when we went to the same school. We connected right away and this is the second year we have gone to different schools, but our friendship is still going strong. She is the liveliest and most outgoing person I have ever met. She has always been an amazing friend, giving great advice and always listening to me. Even when I do stupid things, she never gets mad at me but always encourages me and talks things through, she really understands me and will always be by my side, and I will always be at hers.