OK, in my last post, “The Living Daylights,” I blathered on about a New Yorker “Politics and More” podcast episode featuring comedian and TV program-host Hasan Minhaj. That post focused on something that Minhaj said that piqued my interest. To wit, his assertion that there’s a fundamental difference between “surviving” and “living,” and his explanation thereof. (Yes, I did pay the Word Fairy for rights to use fancy words like “to wit” and ” thereof.” Those words did not come cheap. But for you, Dear Reader, I spare no expense.)
I made a threat promise in that post that I’d devote a future blog post to something else that Minhaj said during that podcast episode. That’s what we in the trade call a “teaser.” Well, Dear Reader, today I deliver.
Actually, full disclosure, this other statement isn’t actually something original to Minhaj. But I heard it from him first, so I’m giving him some props. You’re welcome, Mr. Minhaj.
I Ava dream
As Minhaj says, a while back, he saw filmmaker Ava DuVernay wearing a shirt that had written on it “I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams.” Minhaj instantly fell in love with that statement. I have, too.
My ancestors came to the United States from Eastern Europe in the late-1800s and early-1900s. Not that long ago. Most of them, as far as I know, came in part because of what the United States could offer them in terms of a better life and opportunities. But no small other reason they came over was fear for their lives to some degree or another. The mortal threat may for some of them may not have been immediate at the time. But, as a regularly persecuted/murdered minority in their countries, it was for sure always hanging over them. Like the sword of Damocles. Maybe it’s just me, but that’s no way to live if you can avoid it.
I have no knowledge that any of my ancestors came over with anything resembling a sizable nut of money. So when they landed on American shores, they were all but completely starting over, regardless of how wellish they might have had it in the Old Country. As a remarkable testament to each of my ancestors who immigrated to the United States, each of them “made it.” Most ascended to the middle class. Some did better.
But I suspect that if each of them were alive today and you asked them, “What’s your wildest dream?,” most or all of them would say something along the lines of “I hope that my kids, and the generations that follow, can live a life of peace and prosperity and see nothing of the hardships I’ve confronted.”
Peace train
Assuming that I’m right in my wild speculation about what a bunch of long-dead people would say, then I’m definitely my ancestors wildest dreams (At least in how I’ve lived and what I’ve accomplished. As for me personally, I’m more likely their wildest nightmare.).
I’ve for sure lived a life of peace for the most part. My life generally has been one in which there’s been sufficient stability to allow me to learn, grow, pursue my goals, survive, and provide (in partnership with The Missus, who also is her ancestors’ wildest dream) for my family.
The importance of that peace and stability can’t be overstated. Not having to worry about a bunch of Cossacks storming into my house in the middle of the night with the goal of killing me and The Family is a privilege I enjoy that many of my ancestors regrettably didn’t. The same for having access to food, shelter, and income sources that we don’t have to fight others for. And so much else.
Live long and prosper
My immigrant ancestors’ audacious decision to move to the United States, the resources that they built up, and the stability all this allowed for enabled their descendants to prosper. And, as I mentioned, prosper they (including me and The Missus, personally) largely did. We in our family all owe a debt of gratitude to these people.
Debt of gratitude: Probably not bad
Dear Reader, I submit (thanks for that word, too, Word Fairy!) that many of us are our ancestors’ wildest dreams. Whether we descended from those who fled at the barrel of a gun, because of famine, from slaves before and/or after arriving, or to pursue otherwise possibly unattainable opportunities, or were native to the land in which we live but lived a much harder life, we should take a moment to consider our ancestors’ hardships. If you’re privileged to enjoy a better life than they did, consider yourself a wild dream.
I probably should note that the dreams of those who followed our most audacious ancestors also shouldn’t entirely be discounted. But following these folks with a dream of equal impact may be a hard act to follow.
