A Reason to Celebrate
By: Angie Ditsler
This past weekend I went to the wedding of a friend and former co-worker of mine. This particular wedding was more than just a celebration of love and marriage, however: It was a celebration of triumph and success- and not just for the bride, but for many of her guests, as well.
I met my friend Zahra about 6 years ago when we worked together at Kentucky Refugee Ministries. At the time, Zahra was an interpreter, receptionist, mediator, and caseworker. As a refugee herself from Somalia in the early 90s, Zahra was the most trusted and relied upon person on our staff among the clientele. As the years went by and I changed jobs, Zahra continued to push herself as she furthered her own education and career. Knowing Zahra as I do now, it’s hard to imagine all the obstacles she’s faced in her life: escape from Somalia, survival in a refugee camp in Kenya, arriving in the U.S., learning a new language, and adapting to a new way of life. A recent article in the LEO describes Zahra’s life prior to coming to America: http://leoweekly.com/news/seeking-refuge
Seeing how beautiful she looked on her wedding way was particularly touching because it was a reminder of how far she has come, and the exciting adventure that still awaits her as she continues her life journey in Colorado with her new husband.
The wedding itself was a bit of a reunion of sorts. Catching up with former colleagues and clients was wonderful, especially being reunited with those people I had met years earlier just days, or hours even, after they stepped foot on U.S. soil for the first time. Watching the women dance in their beautiful dresses the other night with smiles on their faces made me smile. Being introduced to their own children for the first time- children born here in the United States- was proof that not only Zahra, but all the women there that night have overcome so much adversity and are thriving. I was reminded once again of the reason I chose Louisville as my new home six years ago: this is a place where cultures and languages are bridged together, and families can thrive.