The news around the world and the GOP's lack of compassion for humanity is hitting home a lot for me lately. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I've been reflecting on some things I'm thankful for in my own life without which I would be a very different person than I am.
- Refugee entry into Switzerland when I was an infant escaping what has now been nearly 4 decades of war in Afghanistan
- Immigration to the U.S. when I was a child to build a life in the "land of opportunity"
- The social welfare system for all its programs that sustained my childhood when we needed it
- A mother who worked tirelessly to put a roof over my head and managed to pull us up into the middle class
- An education complete with a few hero teachers and counselors who kept me looking ahead
- Access to healthcare, as stupidly complex and expensive as it often is
- Loving, caring, and thoughtful friends that have been my support system throughout my life
- Freedom to be a strong independent woman and the right to speak my mind, love whom I want, and believe in any faith I choose
- I am thankful. I am lucky. And I am thinking of all the people at home and around the world in need and hope someday they can feel thankful and lucky too.
#iamarefugee #thankful #refugeeswelcome