These days
walking in my neighborhood, I experienced a silent delight as I caught a glimpse of exquisite African daisies and multicolored perennials arranged in front of an old colonial house in North Serenity Street. Although the other residences appeared to be nicer-looking than this old house, my eyes continually found it to be more fascinating. My husband – who has been living here for fifteen years – once told me it belonged to an elderly couple, and since he has not heard from or seen them for a long time, he assumed they have passed away. Naturally he was mistaken about it. I have been seeing this lovely couple day after day, constantly taking care of their garden. It’s an endless job digging up the weeds to invigorate the worn-out flowers, especially the geraniums. They always make certain the roots of the plants are moist and nurtured.
I have watched this scene time and again, yet it always put a smile on my face. There was a sense of fairness and order as I watched these plants grow in their unfamiliar surroundings far away from home. For this reason, my daily walk has been personally therapeutic, since I am facing challenges in my own journey to become part of the American "garden". Like those labyrinth hedges found in the garden of ancient castles, the immigration process can be as difficult as finding the way out of these intricate green mazes.
The couple is there again. I would just love to talk to them one of these days. However they seem to be so taken by their daily gardening ritual. Never looking around to see who is passing in front of their house, they seem to be driven in their quest for the perfect garden. It’s a real a joy watching them.
Spring time is especially lovely in Virginia. The explosion of life gives me a sense of rebirth and optimism. Staring at some roses, I feel pleased for their freedom and beauty. My thoughts travel far when I am walking. It’s an excellent way to start my day, giving me a sense of openness. As nobody can stop a bud to blossom, nobody can stop us from having our dreams. We are born free, just like the flowers, but somehow they are more appreciated. There are no illegal
immigrant flowers, whether they are red, yellow or white. It just doesn’t matter. Flowers are, at all times, loved and watched over by their green thumb guardians.
I think of every human being as one of God’s flowers. It is easy for me to accept the differences and celebrate the diversity of all that grows in this special garden we call Earth. Unfortunately, in the real world, some flowers are more equal then others. I have personally experienced silent painful discrimination, either because of my accent or my features. I wonder if things would be a little bit better if I were of European descent. But I am Latin American and my ancestors are from the Amazon rain forest. Does that make me less worthy than others? Is it possible to classify culture as superior or inferior? If we accept this bizarre concept, we would have supported Hitler’s fanatic ideas back in the Second World War.
The United States is believed to be The Garden of Eden by millions of people who truly want to have some breathing space to live, to grow and to make dreams a reality. Naturally, like most
immigrants, I had high expectations when I moved to this
country, since it is the richest and most important nation in the world. However, quixotic ideas can quickly change to frustration if one expects an instant change in their lives.
In my case, I am still walking on a long path to achieve my goals. Alas, I am not alone in this journey. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, the per capita household income of immigrants is only 72 percent that of non-immigrants -- $17,884 versus $24,901. Yet, it takes 26 years for them to match the same income as people born in America. As a result, immigrants tend to have lower lifetime earnings and income.
On the other hand, there are those who would never have had the opportunity to develop their talents without coming to this country. A few examples come to mind: the legendary Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor, who was born in Hampstead, London, England; and others not so famous but as remarkable like César Chavez, a Hispanic labor leader, who in the 1980s protested against grape growers who used pesticides on their crops. These pesticides could harm not only the farm workers who picked the grapes but the general public who consumed them. Not all flowers are given good care by their gardeners; unlike the sweet old couple I am fortunate to observe everyday when I walk.
Like other immigrants, I love my home country of Brazil and I am extremely proud of my people, but there is something enchanting and charming about the United States. In my heart I found the right soil to blossom. Though the immigration process can be complicated and often exasperating, I, like most immigrants, still want to pursue this journey. We all want to be part of this special Garden. There is space for everybody. Though this country was built by the great founding fathers, it has a heart of a mother. All we ask is to be treated with respect. Beneath the color of the skin and deep inside the dark eyes, you will find a warm and jolly soul, just waiting to come alive.
Now I am walking back home, it was a nice one; half of me is ready to drive to work. The other half would like to linger a bit longer to watch my quiet mysterious neighbors carefully tending to their plants.
The best part of my day is when I finally can share my thoughts and my feelings with my husband. We are from different countries but our differences enrich our marriage even more. Those who say
Love is blind are so very wrong. It’s just the opposite; love opens up our mind for what is really important in life. Through love we are able to look at each other as a spirit that always grows and a light that never turns off; even though the external body is damaged as time goes by.
"
Love, I am here!" I said still outside
. "I was watching the old couple in the colonial house."
"That’s impossible," my husband remarked while getting into his car, "They passed away 10 years ago. The house has been boarded up ever since. Kinda scary place now."
I knew what I saw. My heart felt a warm peaceful feeling, like all my concerns were gone. I will be fine
. &n