The Arab American Immigrant Every Country Would Desire
By: Dr. Hoda Amin/Contributing Writer
Back home, in Lebanon, since my childhood, I was very studious and competitive. Most of my grades were very high. I couldn’t wait to get home to show dad my report cards when we got our final grades.
I remember one day when I came home to show dad my latest one, looking for his validation and satisfaction; to my surprise, dad looked at it frowning at me because this time I was the second in class, instead of the first. He looked at me disgust and called me “Himara” (jackass) because I wasn’t the first in class this time. He added: “What the first in the class had more than you do?” That’s how dad showed encouragement and support, by tough love. Dad wanted us to always be the best in everything we do, regardless of the consequences. He loved us unconditionally and always paved the way by walking the walk and talking the talk.
At that time, during young adulthood, dad loved traveling, being an Olympian representing Lebanon. He always spoke of such great opportunities he had, but couldn’t pursue because of his responsibility of raising nine children.
After immigrating to America, I remember him working 2 jobs: from 5 am to 8 p.m. He did so to support us, 11 members of our family. He worked all his life until he got injured at work at age 88. I honestly could vouch that not once in all his life did he take a leisure day off, neither went on a medical leave or welfare. He was a phenomenal member of this American society: honest, hard worker, respectful and very loyal to his employers and all those whom he knew.
My dad didn’t stop there, but also was very generous and an extremely giving person because he insisted on abiding by the tradition of his homeland. Our home was always wide open to those who sought dad’s advice and help. He even spent much time and energy to petition most our family members to come to the U.S. since his arrival in 1967, especially during the Middle East wars. He helped our extended family, stay at our humble 3 bedroom home until they got situated in finding jobs and homes.
Dad possessed a great sense of humor, always smiling even when he was hurting. In addition to his pleasant personality, he was deeply anchored in his faith. I remember being with him when we went to Haj, visiting the Holy Land. We bonded better during traveling because in earlier years, he worked long hours and we had hardly time for leisure
Traveling with dad was a wonderful experience. He was humble, easy going, very articulate, and well read. He was admired by most in the Hajj group who traveled with us. Imams (religious leaders) used to enjoy his company a lot and called upon him when feasible to break bread with him.
Dad was a very proud Lebanese American who loved his culture and traditions. Ramadan was always a daily feast with everyone. Our home was an open house to those who visited us, including our American friends and neighbors. Dad loved America as well. He always was grateful for the opportunities that were granted to us and believed in the American values and the chance for high education that enabled us to be successful adults.
None of us can ever fit dad’s shoes or become half the person he was. We are going to miss him dearly and will always feel him as the wind beneath our wings. He was our hero, our confidant, and our backbone; he was our dad, our beloved Dad (Baba): Haj Nazem Khalil Amine, the Olympian!