A dream

He came to this country when he was one.  29 years ago.

His family moved here for a better life.  Away from the things that worry most.  The things parents universally worry about.   Providing a better life, opportunity, a piece of the dream that life in this country represents.

But they didn’t have much.  They didn’t have choices.  They could only take action.  Would you do anything differently?

Much has been written one way or the other about dreamers and those like him.  On one side statistics have been provided by the current administration to cite the lack of contribution that he represents.   I offer SNOPES as a way to fact check.  Please see the attached:

Get the facts

A story about a Maria – from Forbes.  Her story as a dreamer.

Human context

Where does this leave him?  He works.  More than most.   He paid for a trip for his grandmother to take a cruise, the first in her life – with her family.  He builds a life.  He cares about his dogs.  He supports the economy and his community.   He has his documentation.   He studies for his citizenship.  He awaits the chance to prove why he belongs.  Why he deserves a piece of the dream.  He is human.  He pays taxes.  He contributes.  Many in his country want to have him removed like a tumor.  Recently, I helped him study for his citizenship test.  Much of the information he knows, I do not.  Many of us do not.   Many of those wishing to prevent him from being a part of our society do not.  So. I offer this.

A gift from France

My Polish and Irish relatives saw this.   Many of your families did too.  One doesn’t exist on our southern or northern border.  To the north we ask for no wall.  To the south we now require one.   Why?  What’s the difference?  Is it the color of our skin?  What do you think?  How do we start to bridge the gap and connect?