"We were all humans until race disconnected us,
religion separated us,
politics degraded us,
and wealth classified us."
<Spirit Statement>
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
One Woman's Journey
She joined us at our table in the restaurant. Her mother had just died, her heart was filled with sorrow, and memories came pouring out. For the first time she seemed willing to share her story with us. (Details were lengthy and may not be entirely accurate by this writer),
She had grown up in Vietnam but because she was Chinese, she and many of her family had to go back to China. They were given only a few hours to pack a few belongings that they could carry on their backs. It was during the Vietnam war They walked through the jungles. One of the group was an older relative that had to be pushed in a wheelbarrow. He never made the entire trip.
They boarded a small boat, crammed together. During the journey she was so sick she thought she would die. They travelled to Communist-free Singapore where they were interred in a refugee camp for several years. It was there that three of her four children were born.
At long last they found sanctuary in the United States. She and her family ended up in Denver where she opened a restaurant and supported her children while they attended college. She and her husband were opened seven days a week, saving their money in order to live the American dream. In time she and her family opened another eating establishment in the small town of Hot Springs, SD., far from the heavy competition in the large city.
In time she brought her mother over to join them. She helped in the kitchen of their restaurant, working each day, chopping vegetables for the buffet, until she became too old to stand for so long on her feet.
It took thirteen years to bring her brother and sister-in-law and their children to the United States from China. Finally they arrived, having to leave their oldest child behind because he had passed the age where he was considered part of the family. Her brother and wife joined them working daily in the restaraunt, willingly taking on the menial chores in the kitchen, while their two children went to live and work for an aunt in a nearby town.
Her past will always be a part of who she has become, an American citizen contributing to our country, with special Chinese food to satisfy hungry customers every day of the week and every day of the year with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas days.
In our small community her restaurant has filled a need, to be open for the hungry and the lonely, when all else are closed. One Christmas Eve a couple were stranded at home, all flights cancelled due to a winter storm. They drove back home from the airport to a house empty of groceries since they had intended to spend two weeks with family in Florida. They drove through the desolate streets of town. Her diner had an open sign, cheerfully welcoming one and all. The others were closed for the holiday Eve and the powerful winds and cold covering the area. The stranded couple found warmth and nourishment in the only place left open in a small town in America, run by an immigrant family from across the sea.
Not many of us born and raised in this country will ever be able to fully understand the difficult path that many immigrants follow in order to make a better life for themselves in America.
I am honored to have had her share some of her story. I am grateful for being fortunate to have been born here. Our country has a proud heritage of immigrants from many countries who paved the way for us who have always lived here. Thanks to all of you!
She had grown up in Vietnam but because she was Chinese, she and many of her family had to go back to China. They were given only a few hours to pack a few belongings that they could carry on their backs. It was during the Vietnam war They walked through the jungles. One of the group was an older relative that had to be pushed in a wheelbarrow. He never made the entire trip.
They boarded a small boat, crammed together. During the journey she was so sick she thought she would die. They travelled to Communist-free Singapore where they were interred in a refugee camp for several years. It was there that three of her four children were born.
At long last they found sanctuary in the United States. She and her family ended up in Denver where she opened a restaurant and supported her children while they attended college. She and her husband were opened seven days a week, saving their money in order to live the American dream. In time she and her family opened another eating establishment in the small town of Hot Springs, SD., far from the heavy competition in the large city.
In time she brought her mother over to join them. She helped in the kitchen of their restaurant, working each day, chopping vegetables for the buffet, until she became too old to stand for so long on her feet.
It took thirteen years to bring her brother and sister-in-law and their children to the United States from China. Finally they arrived, having to leave their oldest child behind because he had passed the age where he was considered part of the family. Her brother and wife joined them working daily in the restaraunt, willingly taking on the menial chores in the kitchen, while their two children went to live and work for an aunt in a nearby town.
Her past will always be a part of who she has become, an American citizen contributing to our country, with special Chinese food to satisfy hungry customers every day of the week and every day of the year with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas days.
In our small community her restaurant has filled a need, to be open for the hungry and the lonely, when all else are closed. One Christmas Eve a couple were stranded at home, all flights cancelled due to a winter storm. They drove back home from the airport to a house empty of groceries since they had intended to spend two weeks with family in Florida. They drove through the desolate streets of town. Her diner had an open sign, cheerfully welcoming one and all. The others were closed for the holiday Eve and the powerful winds and cold covering the area. The stranded couple found warmth and nourishment in the only place left open in a small town in America, run by an immigrant family from across the sea.
Not many of us born and raised in this country will ever be able to fully understand the difficult path that many immigrants follow in order to make a better life for themselves in America.
I am honored to have had her share some of her story. I am grateful for being fortunate to have been born here. Our country has a proud heritage of immigrants from many countries who paved the way for us who have always lived here. Thanks to all of you!
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Farewell to the Bears
"The bears are drowning due to the melting of the Arctic - may we hold them in our hearts as they head for extinction all the while those in Washington deny Climate Change."
-Ray of Hope
"
Light be the earth upon you, lightly rest."
-Euripides
-Ray of Hope
Light be the earth upon you, lightly rest."
-Euripides
Monday, March 13, 2017
Help for Everyone
"Hello, is this the Wheels place?"
"Yes it is. Can I help you?"
"Well, my bike has flat tires."
"Can you bring it down to the shop? He is there now."
Her voice had a tinge of panic to it, but she said she could come down.
Bob told me the story later. The woman came into the shop with a three wheel baby stroller. It had three flat tires. He jacked it up and filled the tires with the wide-eyed baby still sitting inside. He wondered how she had made it down to the shop.
"No charge", Bob told her. It only took up some of his time.
The woman said with some surprise, "Could I have done this myself at the gas station?"
Of course she could, but I imagine it was some comfort to her to know she could count on Mr. Fixit to help out. After all, that is why he opened his Wild West Wheels shop in the heart of Hot Springs. He offers more than repair service.
"Yes it is. Can I help you?"
"Well, my bike has flat tires."
"Can you bring it down to the shop? He is there now."
Her voice had a tinge of panic to it, but she said she could come down.
Bob told me the story later. The woman came into the shop with a three wheel baby stroller. It had three flat tires. He jacked it up and filled the tires with the wide-eyed baby still sitting inside. He wondered how she had made it down to the shop.
"No charge", Bob told her. It only took up some of his time.
The woman said with some surprise, "Could I have done this myself at the gas station?"
Of course she could, but I imagine it was some comfort to her to know she could count on Mr. Fixit to help out. After all, that is why he opened his Wild West Wheels shop in the heart of Hot Springs. He offers more than repair service.
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Small Town Politics
I watch in interest as my small town of origin takes sides on an issue, often similar to those in our town. There have been differences over a hospital, a library, mining and on and on. Both sides in both communities are passionate and vocal on their viewpoints. Compromises may come about. Victory for one side may leave bitter tastes in the losers. Whatever the outcome, feelings rumble below the surface, waiting for an opportunity to rise up to another challenge or to loudly state "I told you so!"
It is no different on the national level. There is passion on both sides and the voice of reason is often lost among the conflict. Calm, reason and compromise are reached at times, after the furor of the moment has receeded.
The latest in our community is a ruckus over the suspension of our city administrator. During the furor, sides were taken, a settlement was reached, our mayor resigned and our community was exhausted over the entire episode.
During the ruckus there was a ray of reason on our city council. That member wanted time, documentation and a decision based on facts rather than emotion. I was reminded of the doctor who attended me during my hospital stay. She wore a hijab. I asked her where she was from. She and her husband were doctors from Egypt and had become citizens of our contry.
I questioned her on the latest immigation laws and the possible effect on her travel plans to visit her family in Egypt. I was emotional but she responded to my frustration with the calm voice of reason and understanding.
"People are afraid."
There it was. Calm and inner peace showed through. I reflected on our difference. I was agitated. She was the serene voice of reason. A lesson learned.
I am grateful for calm and reason. It is still among us.
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