Humans immigrate, and migrate to find opportunities to better their lives, they move to new places with dreams of prosperity and growth. My father was the first in our family to migrate from a village in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India to the city of Chandigarh back in the 1960’s. That was only a beginning of a young man then. Coming to the west was a dream for me when I was a young woman, an undergrad student. I immigrated to the US in the 1990’s to get higher education and most importantly freedom. It is now 2023, and the dream continues in the third generation with my children.

On Wednesday last week, my son and I drove in a U-haul from Texas to New York after two nights halts on the way. It was one of many journeys we both have taken together in the last seven years. Only this time, it is for his new career opportunity in Manhattan, NY. The journey was different in so many ways. During this journey I experienced an enthusiastic, passionate,, confident, career oriented young man driving beside me. It was the best treat a parent can have!

As I look back, the phenomenon (migration and immigration) is repeating every three decades for our family – 1960’s for my father’s generation, 1990’s for my generation and now 2020’s for my kids’ generation. I bet it is the same experience for most of us. I am excited about his beginnings here in this city of dreams!

Like any immigrant or a migrant, it is the city where people want to experience life to grow their careers and experience culture. It was in fact my daughter who planted the seed with her desire to live in New York, and my son inspired by it, found his way into NY.

The past few days have been both busy with the move and exploring the city. I am in an awe of this city I had only heard of. I have now been to the Central Park, seen The Met, Guggenheim museums that are in walking distance, and so many more to explore. Someone’s going to have a repeat visitor in the city!