How?

From The Pearl of The Orient Seas…

How does someone who wasn’t born, didn’t grow up in The United States, learn to love and appreciate everything she’s about?

Born in the Islands of The Philippines, to a lawyer and a businesswoman, I grew up in a middle class family with modest means. My family was not necessarily religious, but we were Catholics, and like 90% of the country at the time, we observed all the traditions of the country.

My parents were open to us reasoning out (answering back for some) but always made sure we knew who was in charge. I don’t really remember a sit-down father and son talk in my early years. Neither did my mother share words of wisdom. What I remember, and now realize, is that they taught us by example. I believe most families establish their family culture this way.

I attended a Catholic School right from the get go until I graduated from High School. I could say, that’s where I spent my formative years. I pretty much had the same set of friends which I have to this day.

In school, our Catholic Faith was strengthened. There is no other way to describe it but beneficial. In no way did my learning teach me to be judgmental, as it is popularly portrayed, but it taught me that there was a clear right and wrong. (Well, you might say, there you go.)

I was not, in any way, a model student. Far from it. I’m sure I was a headache for many a teacher. I can remember one year during High School, I was asked, more like ordered, to sit right next to the teacher so that I can be better “handled.” These days, that would have been considered some kind of mental torture or some kind of infringement on my rights to be a royal pain in the a$$.

Now, I’m not going overboard, to say that I was a terror. I’ll just say, that I would not give myself as an example of a good student.

Uncle Sam

In 1987, when my maternal aunt’s petition was approved by the United States, my parents made the decision to migrate.

I wasn’t really enthusiastic about the move. All of my friends were in Manila. In my studies, and paying attention to current events at the time as well as popular culture, most of what I knew about America was good. Still, I wasn’t thrilled about leaving everything I knew and starting anew.

Young, wide eyed and adventurous, I was completely fine with being left in Manila, but it was not a decision I could make for myself at the time. I didn’t have the benefit of knowing what I know now.

Arriving in Minnesota in October, was a climate shock for someone who felt that 70 degrees Fahrenheit was cold. After 33 years, a few blizzards, one that broke records for the state, I’ve acclimated to Minnesota weather. (Somewhat)

My Minnesota friends will remind me that 1987 was the first World Series win for the Minnesota Twins – simply referred to as Twins. (Professional Baseball Team for the sports challenged 😜)

Choices

Right from the start, I’ve been providing for myself in various jobs I’ve held. At one point I even hit a personal high, in terms of income, and a personal low in the same year. I won’t bother you with the details.

Another aspect of my life, is when I spent time on the other side of the law. It wasn’t long, but I did pay for my crime.

What I’d like to pass on, and is certainly not unique to me, is that as the song says, I picked myself up, I dusted myself off, (many times – just like others) and I started all over again.

Summary

I narrated all that for context, because I didn’t want to be simplistic in saying, that it’s all about upbringing and choices, that gets you moving forward and ahead in life. However, it is!

More importantly, it’s choices. It’s learning from and asking others, who’ve done it before you, and then cherishing it. All of it! The good the bad and the ugly.

Structure – Foundation – Constitution (They are all synonymous)

Those traits will move anyone ahead in life in almost any place on earth, but those traits and a system that fosters it, is even better. A system where freedom is King! Where individual rights are vigorously protected. How? By enshrining it, so that others wishing to do it harm can be checked, even punished, if they act on the wish.

As James Madison said in Federalist No. 51

“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”

It would be beneficial to read the whole passage. The link is found on the right side of this page. Click on The Federalist Papers and go to No. 51. It’s a free download on iBooks.

I’m a modest man with modest means, but I know my situation is far better here, than any other place on earth. I know that because I’ve lived it and continue to do so. Here, I continue to be beneficial to others in turn it’s beneficial to me and my family.

Today is July 4, 2020 and I’m not going to make it an Independence Day narration. I just thought and felt, that sharing a grateful immigrants’ perspective, can, in a little way, explain why millions try to move to the United States and why Millions more want to keep, cherish and protect the unique American way of life.

As I have said in a previous post, yes, America is imperfect, with imperfect beginnings, but it is the Greatest imperfect nation with its brave, kind imperfect people on earth – Americans.

So…

Stand beside her, and guide her … God bless America, my home sweet home!

Happy, Proud 4th of July to all!