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#myLAcommute I want to be independent until the day I die

#myLAcommute asks people where they\'re coming from, where they\'re going and why.
[additional-authors]
September 8, 2015

TORIBIA FLORES

It’s easy and convenient for me to take public transit. It drops me off one block away from work and right in front of my house. It’s a good thing I enjoy taking the bus, because I don’t know how to drive.

I worked at an electronics company for 15 years. When they closed, I had to start from zero. I struggled finding work—they see that you’re old and don’t want to hire you. Now I’m a line cook at McDonald’s. I like my job.

I’m 64 years old and my kids don’t want me to work. But why would I stop working while I’m still strong? Once you slow down, you get sick and you have nothing to live for. I send money every month to my mother back in Mexico and I don’t want to depend on my kids to do that. I want to be independent until the day I die.

Monterey Road to Colorado Boulevard

#myLAcommute is a project of Zócalo Public Square.

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