The Asian Invasion

Twenty-five years ago my mom petitioned for her brother to come to the United States. Just over a year ago that request was granted and in the wee hours of the morning, my uncle, his wife and his two daughters took their first trip to the U.S. It was a surreal experience.

After many delays, including an 18 hour delay in Manila at the start of their journey, my Filipino relatives finally arrived to their new home. My parents had worked hard on the paperwork, spending endless hours filling in applications, talking on the phone, and scouring the internet. Their hard work finally came to fruition.  My mom, for the first time in her life, has family living in the United States. Just ten years ago (about 17 years after she had left her home to begin a new life in America with my father) my mom began taking regular visits back to the Philippines to visit her family. But it never seemed it would happen to have her family join her here. And now here they are. (Though her parents, three sisters, and brother are still in the Philippines).

This will turn our world upside down in a wonderful way. My mom has her brother and my kids and I will get to know some of our Filipino relatives. This is an exciting adventure. I hope my cousins will journal about their experiences here. Here's to family! Cheers!