Journey To A Strange Land

Over 50 years ago my family and I left the only home I've ever known, Haiti, to travel to Chicago.  I was nine years old and the youngest of seven.  My adjustment was relatively smooth even though we had to learn to speak English. For my older siblings leaving Haiti and going to high school, you can imagine what they went through.

This first blog is dedicated to my parents. The two people that I literally owe my life to.  I can never imagine how difficult it was for them to leave everything they worked hard for and start anew in a strange land.  My dad passed away over two years ago while we took care of him in Chicago. He left a legacy of hard work, family unity, and a love for God.  He left Haiti as a Vice-President of a bank and truly humbled himself to take care of his family.  For years he would drive to Rockford on Monday and come home on the weekend.  He also did menial jobs to provide food and shelter for his family.  I believed God said "Job well done, good and faithful son".  No, he wasn't perfect but his love for God always made the crooked road straight.  During the last two years we took care of dad, he couldn't talk as much, so I really didn't have heart to heart conversations with him.  I wished now that we could.  Oh the nuggets and wisdom I could have gotten from him.  I've dedicated a song in memory of my father its by MercyMe " I Can Only Imagine".  It soothes my soul but also makes me think of my dad.  One thing he always said that I can remember to this day is "Never forget Jesus". What a wonderful legacy.  I honor you dad and love you for all you did and for who you were.  You are sorely missed.

My mother, the woman who taught me everything I needed to know about being a child of God, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother.  Her grace, beauty, and fierce determination are some of her many attributes. As a teenager I can remember our many talks.  One that comes to mind is when I told her that I feel so much.  I got that from her.  She has a gift of compassion and empathy to everyone. Fortunately my daughter has that too and I know my grandchildren will have that too.  I have been blessed so much being with my mother.  Once she told me that her father was a baker.  Now I know why I love to bake so much.  Now that she suffered a stroke in November, she cannot talk as much now, but we know that she is happy because she is home and we are taking take of her.  In December, my mother gave me one of the greatest gift ever.  We were laying down and she gave me her " Mom's ring" the one with the stones of her children.  I was so touched and  felt that she was passing the baton to me.  Every time I look at my right hand I think of my mother and still do not comprehend the magnitude of the significance of the ring, but I know in time I will. 

 The journey still continues but the land is not so strange.  It has become very familiar.  We have assimilated ourselves but I thank God that our parents have kept our Haitian traditions and we will continue to pass it on from generations to generations.  

My next blog will focus on me, the youngest of the family and will detail my journey and how it has brought me full circle.