A local resident reflects on regrets, goals, and lessons learned

Interviewer 1: If you could go back and change something, what would you do? Do you have any major regrets?

Rita: I would change that from the very beginning, I would focus on my own self development instead of preparing myself for a husband. It is extremely important to have a balance between caring for others and caring for one’s own growth. Other than that, I think it's been a pretty good life.

Interviewer 2: If you had like all the time in the world and you could learn anything new, what would it be?

Rita: I want to learn a lot of skills so that I can create a big, huge organization that helps all sorts of people in need. That is my sincerest desire and dream.  I think to create that, a variety of skills are needed, which I didn't grow up with. I’ve learned some little things from here and there and mostly at Harvard. 

Interviewer 2: What's a memory that you can remember where you were really happy, or just any special memory to you? 

Rita: My best memory is my kids. Even when life was intense and I had nothing, they're the ones who kept me going.

 I mean, I still have them, but it is not the same. When they were little, it was very different. They are all very good. They care about me, but it's not the same. When I was crying, just seeing them, I’d smile. 

Interviewer 1: It seems like you passed on some great lessons to them. Do you have any advice for the younger generation? 

Rita: The younger generation should focus on what they want from their heart. Also, they should think about the less fortunate people around them so that they are not just closed in their own world. There's so much pain, and there's so much misery.  If the smart people of today pay attention, they would definitely figure out solutions.