"Solito" a 3,000-mile journey by Javier Zamora
Normally the books I buy are those that help me grow, stretch my creativity, and maybe even nudge me to the next phase of life. But recently, I went to Half Price Books and stumbled upon the book "Solito" by Javier Zamora. Let me tell you, I was instantly hooked.
If you're not from an immigrant background or don't know anyone who's been through the struggles of moving to a foreign country, you might not immediately connect with this book. But I'd say give it a few chapters. The humanity it portrays and the struggles of a little boy trying to figure out this massive world are just gripping. As you dive into the story, I have to warn you about the emotional rollercoaster it takes you on—it's got these deep valleys of emotion and high peaks of energy. It'll bring back memories you didn't even know you had. It'll make you cry, and laugh, and keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time. I won't spoil the whole story, but I've got to share how deeply I connected with this book on a personal level.
As a dad, it really hit me to see this little boy yearning for nothing more than to be reunited with his parents. The idea that a parent could leave their child behind might seem harsh and strange to some, but you've got to understand it's a sacrifice some have to make when they're desperate for a better life and future for their family. I've been through this too. For a year, my mom left home to give my siblings and me a shot at a better future. Man, it was tough. I still remember my grandma taking care of us, trying to keep our spirits up. Not knowing when we'd see our mom again was crushing. We probably had the dates and times, but we just couldn't grasp it as kids. I remember cherishing her phone calls, the nights we cried ourselves to sleep, and the countless questions about when she'd come back for us.
Mom would send occasional gifts, simple things that fueled us to make it through another day, another week, another month without her. Some of those things included a basic freezable cup, but I can still see that orange cup in the freezer, waiting for us to freeze it and enjoy a cold drink. And that plastic cop car that would light up, spin, and do crazy tricks—it was the coolest thing for me. Funny story, I still have it in the box, still tucked away in a super secret spot in perfect condition, because you never played with or shared your "GOOD" toys. It was these little things and the constant prayers from my mom and grandma that, I believe, got us through that year.
As I read through the entire book, I found myself silently cheering on this little boy, drawing parallels between his early life and my own journey. The struggle of not knowing what he was going to face was tough because I wanted to tell him to keep going, that he was almost there. To keep pushing because his parents are waiting to hug and love on him, as the author brilliantly says in the book:
"All of the colors are amazing—some still linger at the edges of the sky, but when sunrise was at its peak, it felt like we were walking in a painting. Pinks, oranges, reds, purples, yellows, mixing together like watercolors. I thought I liked sunsets most, but I think I like sunrises better." — Javier Zamora, Solito
Sometimes, we forget to pause and appreciate the vibrant colors of life, the joy of the journey that leads us to our destinations. No matter how dark a day may seem, there's always a brighter sunrise on the horizon, painted with a spectrum of colors that remind us of hope and fresh starts a new day a new chapter.
-Frsoto
