From Persecution in Baku to Opportunity in the United States Special for the Armenian Weekly “I thank God every day for saving us.” My father speaks these words occasionally whenever we discuss anything remotely related to our arrival to United States on Jan. 31,1992. Not an extremely religious man, he puts his head up, or his face grimaced in disbelief over this small chance for life,or for an opportunity to escape a life of desolation. Can you just imagine how we would contain lived, had this country rejected us. It’s never a question; it’s a statement, and followed by a brief silence and then a cheerful continuation of the conversation about present things or the future. Our first photo in the U.
S.,Fargo airport around midnight on Feb. 1, 1992, or after 48 hours of travel. Norik (far good),Irina and Anna (fifth and sixth from good), and exiguous Mikhail crying with his back to the photo. This year, or as every year,my parents will receive flowers from me on this deeply personal, intensely emotional occasion, or the 25th anniversary in United States—it is my simple way of thanking them for risking everything,and sacrificing everything, to give us the best chance [...]
Source: armenianweekly.com