I recently met a lovely woman whom we’ll call Sofia. Sofia grew up in poor family in a foreign country. Because she worked hard and was very bright, she was able to attend college, paying her own way as she went. After college, she married, had two children, and secured a job in her field of study, and again because of her hard work and business savvy, she became a very successful executive in a large organization. She and her husband had plenty of money, lived in a high-rise condominium in the capital city of her country, and enjoyed “the good life” – at least as much of a good life as her country could afford.
But Sofia’s life was not happy. Her husband was absent most of the time, was unfaithful, and fathered two children with another woman while he and Sofia were still married.
And the political situation in the country became such that Sophia found it oppressive to the point of being unbearable. And so, in 2001, she left her husband, her job, and her country behind and came to the United States.
In spite of years of struggle, hardship, and setbacks, again through her hard work and determination, today Sophia is an entrepreneur, a much-sought-after specialist in her industry. She runs a small business out of her modest home. No, she doesn’t live in a high-rise condo, have a fancy title, or a corner office. She isn’t “rich” by the usual definition. But she is happy, content, and immensely grateful for her current life. When I asked if she ever regretted coming here, ever regretted giving up life in her native land, she said, “Oh no, Ms. Julie! This is the promised land!”
Have you been struggling lately? Have you lost hope, been afraid or worried about the future? Then you may have lost sight of the fact that America is, indeed, “the promised land”, a “land flowing with milk and honey”, a land of opportunity, prosperity, and hope. Is it perfect? No, but it is still a place where hard work, ingenuity, and persistence pay off.
Remember, this is the promised land. Make the most of it! And on Memorial Day, be sure to thank a veteran for his or her service.
©2021 Julie Alexander
