A few weeks ago, I was a guest at a Rotary Club meeting.  The speech title was How Did I Get here? 

Hearing the talk made me ask the same question. Reflections took me back to the day I arrived in the United States, October 13, 1952.  I was 19 years old.  Coming from a small town in Lancashire I was agog at the noise, the buildings, the strange accents.  It was love at first sight and sounds.

What mostly filled my memory bank though, was the kindness of strangers.  Starting in the Diner at the docks.  I’ll just have tea, I tell the burly server.  A tall glass of tea with ice appeared.  Oh, I want hot tea.  No, you don’t, said my new friend. Our tea is worse than your coffee. Here, this one’s on me … welcome to America.  He poured a cup of black coffee, and that’s still my favorite drink.

And so, life continued. Strangers helping me navigate subways. Kind employers hiring me despite my still thinking in pounds, shillings, and pence.  The young man at the Y sharing his lunch when my plate was sparse. A lifetime of kindness on parade in my brain.

When I ask myself – How Did I Get Here?  The answer is always, ‘through the kindness of strangers – and friends.’   And I silently thank you.

# # #