Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

Family. In a complex life simplicity is found when one realizes nothing else really matters, it really is about the ones you love. I have come to appreciate this fact more and more as a father, as a son and as a husband. Such clarity of purpose was brought into greater focus recently as I was able to take my family and parents on our annual pilgrimage to the Hawaiian Islands.

Maybe it’s my age or it’s the effect of the islands but during this trip I often found myself in deep reflection on how blessed I was, beyond that which I seemingly deserve. Blessed with a marriage that was approaching 15 years to a perfect wife, blessed with parents I have always looked up to and as I watched my children play, blessed with healthy, active and sweet kids. I could not imagine life without any of them.

These thoughts also lent themselves to a recent experience I had with a client who over time has succumb to the ravages of cancer. I received a call just before I left for vacation that he was hospitalized and that it did not look good. When I heard this I struggled with the thoughts of my last visit with him wherein he looked me in the eyes and said to me, "attorney I do not care for myself anymore but I want you to take care of my family, make sure they are able to live in this country forever."

As I thought about his request late into the night after hearing of his hospitalization I struggled with what I could do to help. I then decided that I had to visit my client, my friend, and assure him that his family would be alright. Without disclosing the full details I can say that the trip was well worth the effort. Though he was in obvious discomfort he showed great relief when I was able to let him know that his wife and family would be ok and that I would make sure of it.

Now, you might ask why would a man suffering from cancer worry about immigration with all that he must have on his mind. I can tell you that not only was immigration on his mind but that it was the singular issue as he lay in his hospital bed. And for good reason.

A man’s family, their health, safety and education are on the line and he knew it.

It is not simply getting a green card or a work permit that drives immigrants from all walks of life to sacrifice everything in return for a small part of the American life. It is far more than that, it is the freedom to choose what is best for their families and the impact that such freedom can have on their posterity that remains the heart of U.S. immigration.

Family. Securing their future by making sure that they can follow their dreams is something we all want so maybe its time to do something that will secure their future. It’s time to seek out an immigration attorney and discuss possibilities because in the U.S. life is all about possibility.

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Kelly S. O’Reilly is a principal and a founding shareholder in the law firm of Wilner & O’Reilly.

Please contact Kelly S. O’Reilly at (562) 207-6789 or 1-877-7MABUHAY. Wilner & O’Reilly, APLC, is located at 17777 Center Court Drive, Suite 200 Cerritos, CA 90703. Visit www.wilneroreilly.com.

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published on April 4, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. C4 )