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Thank You Mom for Making Me an American
What America Means To Me
No, my country is not perfect, but it is still the best country in the world if you ask me.
Forty four years ago this week a single Jewish mother from Russia took her nine year old daughter out of Russia with the hope of freedom and a better life for herself and her child. It was December 1979 in communist Russia when we left everyone and everything we knew behind.
A whirlwind of new cultures blew my mind as we traveled to Vienna and then Italy in order to immigrate to the U.S. I was a sheltered little girl of nine. I had no idea the trajectory of my life was about to change forever. I didn’t realize at the time that I was excited but so afraid at the same time.
I can’t imagine the fear my mother felt coming to a new country and moving halfway around the world with a small child. To abandon all you’ve ever known for a chance at something better was bold and fearless. It must have been the scariest feeling, but you did it anyway. And today I thank you mom.
I thank you for your bravery because no matter how messed up our country may be, we have rights that we never would have had in Russia.
I thank you because despite the antisemitism in Russia and around the world I would still rather live in America where I’m free to express…
