21 years ago, on a cold and snowy winter day, our family landed at the JFK airport in New York city, as immigrants from Belarus, and made this country our home.
Whenever I hear a European accept, it touches the very strings of my heart. Why? It reminds me of my parents and all others like them, who came to this country with the hope of a better life for them and their children.
In 1992, my parents entered this country with 3 children in their arms and 2 hanging on to their coat tails and all of their possessions packed into custom sewn, huge leather bags. They were moving to a land of the unknown, with a different language and culture and leaving behind everything that was familiar. They didn't know if they would ever see their family again, and in fact, my Mom never saw her father after that last good bye, since he passed away a few years later.
I am always amazed by their bravery. They were so incredibly young, 25 and 30, yet, they were willing to step into the unknown, because they had a dream for a better future. They weren't looking for an easy road and they were willing to work hard, but it was so pertinent that they at least be given the opportunity to get ahead.
If you are an immigrant like us, you'll probably recognize pictures such as this one.We would be mesmerized by the large variety of food available and how relatively affordable it was.
At that time, in the former Soviet countries, the shelves in the stores were very sparsely stocked. My parents talk of standing in lines that stretched all the way into the street for hours when a shipment of milk, bread, winter coats, etc. would come in. Sometimes, after standing in line for hours, they would still have to trudge back home empty handed because they ran out of whatever product they were waiting for, right before it was their turn.
We had fancy food only on holidays, such as Christmas, New Years, Easter, birthdays, weddings and other special days. Those were the only times when we would allow ourselves to make Olivie, Shuba, otbivnie (chicken, beef or pork cutlets), fancy cakes and jellos, extravagant yeast breads and other delicacies.
We were amazed that we could make special occasion meals on a daily basis in America, because the ingredients were so easily available.
We would excitedly take pictures of our "grocery hauls" and send them to our relatives who were still back in the old country to show them proof of the Promise Land we were blessed to live in. See, that's where it started, back in the 90s, not on social media and Youtube:)! Grocery hauls were popular back then too.
We started out with nothing when we came here, but my parents are made of hard work and determination. My Dad always said that money DOES grow on trees, you just have to learn how to harvest it. Both of my parents started out working in factories, night shifts, day shifts, evening shifts - they've done them all throughout the years. No matter what job they did, they excelled in it and always reached for the top. After a few years, my Dad started his own business and has been a business owner ever since then.
My Mom went to college and got her license to be a Registered Nurse, while raising 6 children, working full time and in college full time, and she even got really good grades too. She is a nurse in the Labor and Delivery unit now, and she is definitely an expert in her field and one of the best nurses on the floor. I'm sure the physicians, nurses, and patients that she works with would confirm that.
My parents had a dream to own a large piece of land. After living for 2 years in America, they bought 100 acres of beautiful countryside, which we love and enjoy to this day.
My Dad built a beautiful home all by himself from scratch, log by log, board by board, wire by wire. He taught himself how to do everything that needed to be done and did an excellent job. I'm not talking about the "quality" of work that a lot of construction workers do when they raise an entire house in the matter of months. In Russian, we call that "Tyap Lyap i gotovo" translating "tap, splat and ready". My Dad really takes pride in the quality of his work.
I am so proud of my parents and for their constant "pursuit of happiness". The most important thing, is that they still kept a solid foundation and always kept their priorities straight. It's so important to stay grounded, while at the same time not settling with life and always striving for the better. It's a fine balance, but so worth it. Hard work will make you a better person, if you keep the other values in your life in the right place.
I've always really enjoyed learning history and reading all about the days of long ago. I always felt a special, soulful connection to the people who lived in that age, maybe because I am such a old soul:).
These people have always been my heroes. The Pilgrims, Puritans, Quakers, Anabaptists and others, who crossed the ocean in search of religious freedom. Explorers who were driven by a passion to find out more about the unknown lands, rivers, waterfalls, forests and mountains. The families who traveled to the Wild West to settle the land, build homes, farms, ranches, businesses and communities. Many, many immigrants, who came to America, because they wanted a chance to get ahead, to at least have the opportunity to succeed. America was built on people such as these, hungry, hard-working, ambitious families, who were excited to start their life here, even though most of them started with nothing.
Yes, I do feel a connection with the characters who lived during that day and age. We were like the Pilgrims, longing for religious freedom, and a chance to worship God without being persecuted and restricted. We were like the explorers, coming to a new country, learning a new language and assimilating to a unfamiliar culture, while still keeping our identity and holding on to our heritage and values.We were most definitely joining the ranks of other immigrants, who came here in search of the "American Dream" - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There is tremendous power in a dream.
During this time of year, because of Thanksgiving and the anniversary of our move to the United States, I reflect on all these things even more than usual, and thought I'd share some of these thoughts with you.
Belarus and the other former Soviet countries have a special place in my heart, and I love my heritage. I love going back to visit, I love the history and I am always interested in staying updated in what is going on in that part of the world. I am Belorussian, and that has made a significant impact on the person I have become.
No country is ever perfect, but I am so thankful to be an American citizen and a part of the most wonderful country in the word. I am grateful to my parents, that they were brave enough to leave everything that they knew behind, and go through so many years of hard work and sacrifice, as they were building a new life for us here.
The immigrant spirit has been rooted deep inside of me from early childhood. It's a desire to grow and learn, to always take advantage of the opportunities that life presents, stay humble and be thankful for the blessings that I have. I believe that deep inside all of us, God planted a desire to always become better, and I'm so thankful that we can do so in this land of opportunity.
Thank you for your story. It was very heart warming. We never want to forget the sacrifices of the generations that came before us. Thank you for reminding me that I’m a 4th generation of American from Europe. We aren’t perfect as a nation. There are many areas we need to improve. But if we continue to remember how God has blessed our families, I feel like we are one step closer to fulfilling Gods purpose in each of our lives.
God Bless!
Kathy
love your story Olga and my Family came just after the Holocaust in the l950's and came to Canada as America said they had too many Immigrants and were not accepting anymore . My parents worked Hard too, My Father worked as a cook in a Hungarian Restaurant and later he bought he Restaurant and then 5 years later he sold it and used the Money to Open his Own Clothing Company and I was his Bookkeeper for many years until he passed away and Secretary too as I can do many other things besides Accounting and speak a few other languages too which helped my Father out a lot in his Business and had a good people personality and brought to the Business to Great Heights , now I am Retired and Parents both have Passed Away .
Never Forger where you came from and always be proud of who you are . Parents taught me that from a Young Child as Canada was not Kind to Jewish Immigrants from Europe , until times and things changed
we were different and had more talents them and they were jealous as they knew nothing and we were taking their jobs as we were not as Fussy, just trying to Survive in a New Land , we had to prove ourselves and we Surely Did and My Dad was very Respected in the Business Community and I as well
this is my Story Olga and my name is Sonia
Hi Olga, I am a new reader and just found your beautiful story. It touched me deep in my heart. You see it was as if I was reading my own story. Sixty years ago I came to Canada from Belgium with my husband and four little ones . We too had only a wooden trunk and a few hand bags, did not know the language ,had to get used to a different life style.We too worked hard at whatever we could get.I remember seeing my parents standing on the wharf as the ship sailed away. That was the last time I saw them both, being older now, how I must have hurt them for leaving them to go to such a far away country. Reading your story brought it all back for me.
Thank you for sharing such a heartwarming story. I admire your parents! Their accomplishments are a testament to their hard work and spirit!
Thanks for taking the time to write, Vicki. I am so grateful for my parents.
Hi Olga,
Your story is such an inspiration to me. Im from Moldova myself and came here when I was 15 so I haven't had much experience with food there so I love making food from your website. I am so happy I found your blog, I live in Florida so I can relate to many of your posts 🙂
Olga, what a touching story! We came to Canada from Belarus (Gomel) during perestroika as well. I can really relate to your story about the immigrant spirit - my parents worked very hard to achieve what they have and are very much thankful for the opportunities Canada granted them.
I love reading your traditional potato recipes so near and dear to our Belarusian heart!
Bless you!
Vita
What a huge blessing it is to have parents who are such great examples:). Thanks for writing, Vita.
Hi Olga-
I first came upon your site to find some delicious recipes, but now days later I still haven't tried out a single one. I have been hung up on reading your stories and I am so thankful that you have posted the things you did...from the little details of your family to your trials and triumphs of adoption to the ICU stay. Even though I don't know you, but you are such an inspiration. All I can say is.... God Bless You and your wonderful family!!! Sometimes when we experience a trial we think that we got it the worst but after hearing other stories God really only gives us what we can handle. I thankful to you and God that there are people like you who are not closed in and are willing to share. Thank you.
As for your recipes....they look amazing and I will be trying them soon.
Hi Anna!
Welcome! Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for your kind words. May God bless you too.
We learned a lot with all of our experiences, most of all, we have seen and tasted the love of God in such a powerful way.
Olga,
My wife follows your blog and I must say that in my eyes she too is very passionate about food and family. When we started having children, dinner time became very important to us because it brings everyone together at the same table. We are blessed to be able to take a look into your kitchen and experience your passion for family! 🙂 Both sets of my grandparents were immigrants that came to the US from Belgium, Italy, and Ireland, passing through Ellis Island in the early part of the century. It is here that our "roots" and traditions became firmly established, while creating new ones with each passing generation. Thanks for sharing with those that read your blog, sample your food through delicious recipes you post, and your passion for family. I, too, am a nostalgic "old soul"! God bless you and your family. You, along with your family and parents, serve as an inspiration to all of us.
Hi Joe!
I really enjoyed reading your comment. Thanks for sharing your family history with me. What a rich heritage! I am always fascinated with immigration stories. They touch my heart in a very special way.
Thank you to you and your wife for visiting my website. It means a lot to me.
great story! we came to the US dec 16th '92 from Pinsk Belarous with my parents an the 5 of us since my dad didn't want to leave with my moms family in '89.your parents are amazing! it shows that with hard work and God's grace we can accomplish anything, i always try to explain to my american mother in law that with hard work and God anything is possible(she always pity's the poor,homeless etc but i always say if an immigrant can come to america and be succesfull why can't an american who has lived here their entire lives?) the pics are just the perfect for this story!
I absolutely agree with you 100%, Yelena! I'm so proud of my parents and others like them who worked hard to get ahead. The wonderful thing about this country is that there are so many available opportunities, as long as people are willing to work hard.
Your story and mine are almost identical 🙂 Came to US via JFK in November 1992 from St. Petersburg, with the whole family: me at 15, my sister at 4, mom, dad and 2 grandmothers, all possessions in handsewn bauls, 2 per person. I remember like yesterday the 1st trips to the grocery store, wondering around, amazed at everything. All of us starting out with cleaning, babysitting jobs, dad being a busboy at a local pizza shop, strange schools, language barrier, no friends. I have deep roots, which I love, respect and cherish. Fast forward 21 years later, there is no where else I rather be than a citizen of USA!
How awesome! Aren't these memories and adventures priceless? I love remembering all the things that we lived through.
Read your story and had all these thoughts and memories in my head and then read all the comments and found out I'm not the only one.
Thank you so much for sharing. I just hope that I will pass that history on to our kids the best I can to make sure they are grateful for everything we have here... I realized that so much is taken for granted even by me now its sad...
thank you
Absolutely!
I want to always remember my roots and be grateful for all the blessings that God has given us.
*Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your story! We moved to tne USA 3 years ago,and all the memories are fresh in my mind. Your story about your mom who graduated from college with 6 kids it's amazing. i also want to go to college, but I don't know how I can do it with 3 kids...Your story ispired me. Thak you so much! May God bless you! P.S! Keep posting something more than food and recipes! You are really good writer and your stories always touching me.(sorry for my bad English)
Absolutely, Ala! You can do it. With hard work, dedication, support from family and lots of prayers, a lot can be achieved. Go for it!
Thanks for such a sweet comment. And your English is great!
You are awesome! Not only do I love your amazing recipes, you have the most heartfelt, amazing and nastalgic stories. This is also a very pleasant coincidence for me because just two weeks earlier I spoke of Slavic immigrants in my speech class. I feel like the generation of immigrants 20+ years ago which included me as well, is slowly fading away and there is no one to archive those memories. I also feel like there isn't enough appreciation and respect from the newer generations to even have an interest in our history of immigration therefore, I felt a need to create a little archive of memories for my family and am so excited to find out that I'm not the only 27 year old with an old soul. God bless you, Olga!
Hi fellow 27 year old "old soul":)!
I agree with you that it's important to appreciate history and always cherish and remember our roots. That's so awesome that you spoke of this subject in speech class!
Thanks so much for taking the time to write and for your kind words. I have enjoyed writing since I was a little girl.
As a new immigrant, who didn't know any English when we arrived to America, I didn't like school for a few years. I remember the first time that I actually looked forward to class was when the teacher had us write a story and illustrate it. It was a project we worked on for a few weeks and I liked it so much, I started to actually look forward to class, instead of dreading it. Ever since then, writing has always been a passion of mine.
Beautiful story Olya! I really enjoyed reading it and reflecting on our comparisons since I am from Ukraine. You are such an inspiration to be. May God bless you even more.
P.S. You are excellent writer- you should have majored in English and teach English/literature/writing.
Thanks, Irina. That is so sweet of you to say. I love writing and have enjoyed it since I was a little girl.