Alfredo Visits the Statue of Liberty

Growing up in poverty in Mexico, Alfredo, 66, lost his mother as a young boy, followed by his father at age 18. With no support and few opportunities to earn a living, Alfredo immigrated to the U.S. as a young man. He was willing to sleep anywhere, eat anything, and take any job in order to escape the poverty he had known.

Building a brighter future

Fueled with hope for a more prosperous life, Alfredo settled in San Antonio, Texas, and worked contract jobs laying brick and cement. As the years passed, Alfredo mastered his trade and built a reputation for excellence in masonry work, married, and started a family. He transitioned from working as a contractor to eventually leading a team.

But even as he enjoyed a more secure life in the U.S., Alfredo never forgot his roots. He sent money to help his younger brothers in Mexico and seized every opportunity to help impoverished children in need.

“As a young child … we would save gently used clothes and toys and load them up in my dad’s pickup. Anywhere he stopped and saw kids asking for money or food, he would start handing out clothes and toys. If we had any snacks, they would be handed out, too,” his daughter Laura remembered. “We would do this at least twice a year growing up. It is a beautiful memory I have of my father.”

From Alfredo’s point of view, his most outstanding achievement was raising his three children. He lived out that belief daily, and through his dedication and hard work, he changed the trajectory of his family’s future.

“He never quit us; he never steered us wrong. He just demonstrated pure determination to ensure his family was cared for,” said his son, Alfredo, Jr. “My father’s unwavering belief in our abilities has given us the confidence to reach for our dreams and never give up, no matter how difficult the path may seem. His guidance and support have shaped me into the person I am today.”

A dream on hold

Alongside his giving spirit and strong work ethic, Alfredo had one dream: to see the Statue of Liberty. As an immigrant, it represented true freedom in the country that had given him so much. But long workdays and family responsibilities didn’t leave the time nor the extra money for travel from Texas to New York.

At age 60, chronic back and knee pain from years of hard labor forced Alfredo to retire, though he continued to pick up smaller jobs for extra income when he could. With more time on his hands, he thought back on the dreams he had as a young man. When his twin granddaughters traveled to New York on a school trip, it reignited his dream of going there himself, stronger than ever.

But when Alfredo received a diagnosis of stage 4 renal cancer, his dream was once again put on hold. “Our lives revolve around his appointments and trying to accommodate him so he can be happy and keep fighting this battle,” shared Laura. “We try to keep him motivated, so he won’t fall into depression.”

Laura nominated her father to have his wish granted because she believed that seeing the Statue of Liberty would give him the hope he needed to keep fighting cancer. Wish of a Lifetime was honored to provide that hope by sending Alfredo, his wife Leticia, and daughter Laura to New York.

Other family members met them in the city and surprised Alfredo with heartfelt letters from his children, grandchildren, and even his in-laws at the base of the Statue of Liberty. As they walked the steps of the statue together, Alfredo kept up with everyone, experiencing a new sense of vigor. “You feel everything—it brings happiness, sadness … then no words, just tears,” Alfredo recalled.

To finally gaze up at the symbol of freedom he’d dreamed of when he entered the U.S. decades before was life-affirming for Alfredo. “The statue is huge, just like they say! There were so many people! I don’t know where they all came from. Everything was so beautiful,” said Alfredo. “I feel more motivated! I’m ready to take another trip—to my homeland.”