The Places We Belong To

Have you wondered about your own sense of place? Why some places just feel right and others, well they just make you feel so out of place. As much as we like to think we are in the driver's seat charting out the flight path, I have come to think that places choose us. What else could possibly explain feeling a sense of belonging to a place that has no connection to your past, knows nothing of your people's history? How else does it happen that you walk into a room of strangers and instantly recognize that you are among your tribe?

Life in America is complex, it is also richly rewarding. Living here will reveal facets of yourself you had not known before, skills and smarts you did not know you had in you. Whatever innocence you came with will be tested. You will question the stuff you're made of. You will find that you are made of better stuff than you thought. Because America continues to make room for us and all we are, in enough time we begin to belong to America. And in enough time, America begins to belong to us.

We come from all parts of the world with our rich flavors and cultures that challenge America to grow, to make room. We warm America's heart with our affection and fire up her belly with our convictions. America chose us so she can love better, eat better, see better. She wants her language to evolve, she wants to broaden her thinking. We answer to many names and love in many tongues. We can spot each other anywhere. We are America's chosen ones.