I have great neighbors. It seems everywhere God has planted us, he dropped great neighbors around us. Call it what you want, but for me, it's a blessing. We moved to Antioch, TN, a southeast suburb of Nashville, three years ago this month. It was so exciting to move into a bigger house, a place where Shannon's business could expand and where we would eventually begin our new family. Prior to Antioch, we lived in Gallatin, TN which is a northeast suburb of Nashville for two years. In both homes we have owned, we have had excellent neighbors who have also become great friends.
With immigration becoming such a huge topic in the Obama Presidency and more heat pounding down today from Senators, I want to tell you about my neighbors, my friends. This really isn't a debate or a stance, just a beautiful story of wonderful people.
My neighbors are from El Salvador. The family consists of a husband, wife, and two children, a girl and a boy. The husband came here, well to California, many years ago seeking refuge from a violence stricken nation. It took him 31 days to walk, hitch-hike, etc. to California. I can't imagine leaving my home and everything I knew with little to nothing in hand for a land of uncertainty. After he was here for awhile, he sent for his wife (they weren't married yet) to bring her to the states. She came, they were married, and then along came their two children. They don't just have a boy and a girl, they have beautiful, awesomely well behaved children.
So as the story continues, I want to say that my neighbors did everything the right way when they got here. They obtained legal work permits, green cards, and anything else they needed to be here the right way. He makes an honest living, pays taxes, and everything else that natural born Americans have to do. They are also GREAT neighbors. He's a painter by trade and has helped us transform our new house into our home. He's come to our rescue when we've had water leaks, sealed our fence when we couldn't figure out how, watered our flowers while we were on vacation, and so many other things. She's made us tamales, bought beautiful gifts for Emme, invited us over to visit with their visiting family, attended Birthday parties, and so much more. The children have helped with Walter, and played with Emme when we needed a few minutes to breathe. All of these things neighbors are supposed to do, but rarely do without something in exchange.
You know what this amounts to? The American Spirit. Well, about one year ago, they became American for good. I was so excited for them! I can't imagine how they felt, if I felt so happy! This is what immigration is all about. No, we don't always understand each other or we might do things just a bit different, but we can all learn from each other. I've learned by watching and listening. I want Emme to be just as well behaved as their children, I want Shannon and I to always value family like they do, I wish my house was as clean and sparkly as theirs, and I'm learning.
I challenge all of you to find neighbors, friends, coworkers, etc. who aren't the same as you and learn from them. Listen to stories and realize just how lucky we are to be born American. America is a great nation, we just need to figure out how to create stories just like my neighbors, for everyone. I hope my neighbors, my friends, read this blog because I want them to know just how lucky we are to have such great friends.
The Elias Family
These are my neighbors holding Emme the day she came home from the hospital.
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