We are all descendants of immigrants.

Back in January of 2017, I posted an incident on Facebook, which I thought I had also added to my blog.  After searching, I realize it never made it to my blog, so I am now referencing it below.

What prompted my renewed interest is that the original posting referenced a recent echocardiogram that I had undergone.  Today I went for a follow-up procedure and the same gentlemen was my technician.  I told him that he had inspired me and I remembered a great deal about him two years later.  He still inspires me, and I have given him my blog address for him to read.

Here is the recreation of my original:

“I wanted to share a recent true personal anecdote about an encounter that impacted me greatly, and I know the majority of you will easily comprehend the multilayers of its significance. I was at my annual echocardiogram, and it was obvious that the technician performing the procedure was extraordinarily competent. It was also apparent, from his accent which I could not place, that he was not American born.

We developed a sort of instant friendship, and he asked about me and my family and I inquired about his. He told me that he had been in medical school in his homeland and was quite close to obtaining his M.D., but his credits were not accepted when he came to this country. He could not afford to start all over, so he returned to school for two years to become a technician. On the other hand, his wife started all over in school in the U.S. and performed her residency, and she was currently a doctor in the city.

He stated that they had truly embraced America, and they certainly contributed greatly to it. However, recently the nature of this country had changed so drastically that he was deeply afraid for the safety of his two small daughters. Consequently, he and his wife were considering moving to Australia or Canada. It was at this point that I asked him where he was from. He turned and looked at me with a brief, ironic smile and said, “Iran – you’ve heard of it?” Think about it.”

I’m glad he decided to stay.