I came to America 28 years ago, to the day, with two suitcases and a dream in my heart. The suitcases are long gone, but the dream is alive and well.
I can distinctly see my mother at Delhi Airport, overwhelmed with tears in her eyes as she bid me goodbye, wondering when she would see me again. My Dad, engulfed me in a warm embrace and kissed me goodbye with a heavy heart. His young son was off to a foreign land.
I remember landing in Los Angeles after what seemed an eternity and feeling right at home as I was greeted by the “Hare Krishna’s” asking for money. I made it to campus and found myself overcome with emotion. What did the future hold? Would I survive? I had pretty much failed at everything else I had done in my life. Would this be any different?
As it turns out, all these years later, I did survive and successfully made America my home. I worked hard, and when I was exhausted, worked even harder. I learned to appreciate the dignity of labor as I bussed dishes in the college cafeteria (Talk about my ego getting stomped on… over and over again). I learned to appreciate the opportunity available to me, as I had grown up in a country with very little opportunity.
I learned to appreciate the sacrifices — both emotional and financial — that my parents made to give me a better life. For that, I will be eternally grateful.
I am blessed that I live in this wonderful country, and that I now practice my craft at a wonderful university. I focus my energy on creating extraordinary experiences for the people I love and making a positive difference in the lives of young people.
I love America. Period. No questions asked. The truth of the matter is that 99 percent of the people in this world would change places with any one of us in a heartbeat.
I count my blessings every day. I hope you do the same!
About Hemant Rustogi