My Immigrant Shoes: Life with Questions, Hope, and Gratitude is about many dimensions of my life. In its writing, the choice to imbed questions, commentary, expressions of gratitude, hope and love in short stories, poetically, is deliberate. Migrating from Jamaica to America and "finding Streets not lined with gold, rude lesson, got to work hard, be aggressive and bold, staying alive..." (Dubline Rider) are not for me, all natural tendencies.
However the drive not only to survive but to thrive has been indomitable, and in spite of severe culture shock, progress has been made through hard work, discipline and perseverance. "My Immigrant Shoes" is in part a demonstration of faith in myself and in a greater spiritual force from which I have always sought guidance during bad and good times.
My prayers to my God have always been answered. So I have kept on praying and believing. Immigration is fraught with pitfalls. When life seemed hopeless in my beautiful homeland, Jamaica, and with the desire to learn, grow and improve myself ever-present, there was no other choice than to explore the unknown and do what I had to, "To improve my life's condition" (Immigration Limbo). Throughout this book I recognize gratitude, reflection upon childhood learning, which has given me the ability to maintain good judgment and balance. Reaching out to others and returning acts of kindness to individuals in my community have been privileges (Just Do It) to serve in small ways.
Discovering love, having and raising children, immediate and extended family has been a joyful and nurturing experience to continue as long as I am able (Gods Gifts and Habits I Love). I wish readers of My Immigrant Shoes... "Good fortune and a life without strife" (I wish you Good Fortune) Peace with Love.
Marcus A. (Dubline Rider) Wright.
