melx

Happy Freedom Day

24 years ago today my parents came to this country to build a better life for themselves. Leaving behind most of their extended family to come to a place that they knew almost nothing about. Eventually through a lot of hard work and careful saving they were able to send for their parents, siblings and even aunts, uncles & cousins. I can't imagine the dedication and determination it took for them to make that happen. Every year we celebrate as a family this day that my father has christened as freedom day. Today my boyfriend, Fitz, and his mother, who are not Hmong, joined the celebration with us. I wasn't sure how that would go over as I am the first person in my family to seriously date outside our community. I am very happy to report that everyone made them feel very welcome. It has been a day full of laughter and stories and delicious food. A day of exploring the similarities between and differences between two cultures. A day that we younger ones try to understand the incredible sacrifice that our parents and grandparents made to give us a chance at a better life. I'm so grateful to my parents and grandparents for everything they've done for me. Especially for accepting and supporting the decisions I make.

It was good to spend some time with Fitz. I'm not seeing as much of him as I'd like lately. He's working a lot and has school and I miss him. I know it's because he wants to make something of himself and that he loves me and I am part of his plan for the future, but I am just not as good at this delayed gratification stuff as he is. It's lonely.