I made an interesting observation today....and think I finally understand why America so appealed to my father. It came about after chatting with my 36-year old cousin in Latvia, and a chat friend in London...as well as others along the way. My father was a very outgoing/outward looking man who appreciated that potential of things. On the other hand, you have a real European mentality of people who are willing to accept their poorer lot in life. When I asked my cousin in Latvia if he would be interested in coming to the U.S., he said to me, "I'm too old to adapt to change of a new place," while my acquaintance in England would love to visit the U.S. and live here, "but it is so difficult to get a landed immmigrant visa and be able be able to work."

My dad always said, where there is a will, there is a way....and that's what made my dad so different from the old world view of so many in Europe.