I recently traveled to Arizona to visit my grandparents out west. During my visit, I encountered some of the most fascinating individuals. One that stuck out to me, in particular, was a man named Daniel. Daniel is Turkish and he speaks six different languages.

When we first encountered him we were in an old bar in Tortilla Flats, and he approached my grandmother. He was captured by her extravagant turquoise cross necklace that hung around her neck. His opening statement is what told me that Daniel had quite a life story behind him. He began with, “you are lucky that you can wear that around your neck. In my country they would rip it off your neck and cut your head off with it.”

Needless to be said, we were all taken aback with his words. Yet, we were all enthralled by his eyes that were burning with history. So, we invited him to divulge his experience to us. He told us all about the horrors that he had to witness and experience in his home country of Turkey as well as other Middle Eastern countries. We were mortified by his stories of inhumanity. He talked of mass killings, anarchy, dictatorship and governmental repression. He didn’t have any freedoms, rights, or voice in his home country in addition to living in a constant fear of death.

After discussing his hardships, he passionately expressed his immense appreciation for the United States granting him security and freedom. Daniel said that he was very lucky to have the opportunity to come to the United States, and not a lot of people in his circumstances get the same chance he was given. He did briefly elude to the current discrepancy with barriers pertaining to immigration. He even said, “if all of the Arabs were terrorists there would be no humans left on this planet.” Nonetheless, he is very in love with the United States, and wishes everyone to experience the same happiness and fulfillment he has been able to obtain here.

He even went as far to say, “I have been in Heaven for 42 years.” That statement just sent chills down my spine. He proudly displayed 4 crosses above his bar and a large painting of Jesus. He talked about the luxury of being able to practice his faith. He also spoke of the privilege of suffrage, and how our democracy gives our people a voice.

Regardless of your political views and how you feel about the current presidency, everyone must agree that there are so many luxuries in our country that we take for granted. While I think our government is far from perfect, I have to be thankful for the rights that I have. I have the ability to practice any faith, voice my opinion in published articles like these, feel safe living my daily life and have my vote counted in every election. In the midst of menial political frustrations, I am thankful that Daniel reminded me how lucky I am to be living in the land of the free.