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I’m Thankful to be an American

By Beth Atalay

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Cam Realty and Property Management

November 13, 2017 05:51 AM

I’m Thankful to be an American

I’m glad to find out through Kathy Streib's weekly that Debbie Reynolds is hosting a contest “12 Days of Thanks Giving” which started yesterday. We all need reminders from time to time, this is a great way to take inventory of all our blessings.

Most of you know I came to this beautiful country as a child. I grew up in New York, moved to FL with my son many years ago.
I don’t know how it happens but somehow, I always seem to meet with other Turkish people wherever I live. When I moved to my current home just a couple of months ago, I met my neighbors across the street and we became friends. They knew I came from Turkey, they also knew I was a REALTOR®. Their parents knew of a Turkish family who just moved to Clermont area and was looking for a rental. We all know how tough it is to rent a home when you’re brand new in this country. Without going into too much details, I was able to help them with a rental.

Although they’re well-educated professionals with two young children, they were having a hard time finding jobs. With only one car, four and seven-year-old boys who only speak Russian and Turkish, no family around to help, no jobs, they were really..really having a difficult time.
It just so happened I had moved recently and had some furniture to give them, several of my friends also helped them by giving furniture and what they needed in the kitchen.

I stop by often just to talk to them and see how they’re doing. Alex(wife) was home one evening when I stopped by, she greeted me with a big smile at the door. She’s one of the most positive people I know. I knew they were doing very well in Turkey financially but they did not want to live in that country anymore. I asked her if she regrets coming to the US and leaving everything behind, taking whatever they could fit into eight suitcases. She told me, “I rather go without food and suffer for a while than go back. No regrets, I love the USA”.

We as Americans take our freedom for granted as we don’t truly know how it is to live in a country under a Dictator. I am beyond thankful to be an American. I’m thankful, I don’t have to worry about what I say and how I say it.
Just imagine, in Turkey, there are several journalists in prison for writing the truth about the government. Not only journalists but even regular people like you and I have to watch what they say on social media.
I am thankful to be an American!

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Wayne Martin

Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL

Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Beth. A little help goes a long way! Enjoy your day!

Nov 13, 2017 05:55 AM

Beth Atalay

Clermont, FL

Beth Atalay

Good morning Wayne Martin, if we're not looking, we can not find those who are in need. Indeed, a little help goes a long way.

Nov 13, 2017 06:14 AM

Chris Lima

Turtle Reef Realty - Port St Lucie, FL

Local or Global-Allow me to open doors for you.

Great post, Beth. This should be shared and shared until the message is understood. With some of the events taking place in this country, I wonder what would happen if any of the protesters stop and think about how truly fortunate they are to live in this great country. Imagine the difference if rage was replaced with a grateful attitude. Perspective is everything.

Nov 13, 2017 06:19 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC
Beth Atalay

Clermont, FL

Beth Atalay

Thank you Chris Lima, it hurts me to see and hear how much hate we have in our country. Healing begins with love.

Nov 13, 2017 07:12 AM

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX

Selling Homes Changing Lives

Beth Atalay - You truly embody the spirit of patriotism what it means to be an American! Thank you for your amazing heart! I have always enjoyed your friendship here on ActiveRain.

This story you shared about your clients from Turkey is truly representative of what it is like to be a fabric of the American Flag and how important it is for others to have representation from a Broker here in America. When it comes to raising the bar with compassion and understanding, you always exceed the level of skill and competency.

Hearing about those journalists is heart-wrenching. It is unimaginable. Thank you for sharing this story and being such a good person. You truly are someone I respect and admire.

Nov 13, 2017 06:35 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC
Beth Atalay

Clermont, FL

Beth Atalay

Hi Patricia Feager, I feel the same about you. There's so much we don't hear on the news, you would only know by talking to people which they can't even freely share on social media. To truly appreciate what we have, it's so important for us to see and understand what it's like on the other side.

Nov 13, 2017 07:07 AM

Grant Schneider

Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY

Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Beth - I too am thankful to be an American. I am also thankful for some wonderful neighbors right here in my home in Florida.

Nov 13, 2017 06:37 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC
Beth Atalay

Clermont, FL

Beth Atalay

Good morning Grant Schneider, having great neighbors is so important, I know you will be enjoying the sunshine too.

Nov 13, 2017 07:04 AM

Sheila Anderson

Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ

The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Beth. I have never lived anywhere else but in the US but I travel a lot and would agree with your thinking. It is tough here now but still a better than anywhere I have visited.

Nov 13, 2017 06:41 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC
Beth Atalay

Clermont, FL

Beth Atalay

Good morning Sheila Anderson, like you, I travel a lot, there's no place like the USA.

Nov 13, 2017 07:03 AM

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

The helping and you extended is a sign of your goodness and your willingness to be a good person, a good "American!"

Nov 13, 2017 07:11 AM

Beth Atalay

Clermont, FL

Beth Atalay

Thank you Gary L. Waters, Broker Owner, Waters Realty of Brevard, LLC. If I wasn't a Realtor, I probably would've never met this family.

Nov 13, 2017 07:50 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

You and me both, girlfriend! I, too, am an immigrant and so proud to be an American.

Nov 13, 2017 07:12 AM

Beth Atalay

Clermont, FL

Beth Atalay

Nina Hollander, we were so blessed to be able to come to this country, many will never have that chance.

Nov 13, 2017 07:49 AM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Beth,

I am with you Nina Hollander. Like you, I was a kid when we moved to the US, and for all our travels around this planet, I find that we have the best country on this planet. After a 3 week trip to South America many years ago, I remember when we landed in Miami, the customs officer said, "Welcome Back!" And I said, if you had asked me to kiss the ground in order to enter back, I would have gladly. A

Nov 13, 2017 07:59 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC
Beth Atalay

Clermont, FL

Beth Atalay

Ron and Alexandra Seigel, one of the reasons why I love to travel is to experience and see how others live and go about their lives. I went to South Africa for three weeks, my first stop was Cape Town which is amazing, also went to other areas that just broke my heart. I tried to change my return to an earlier date but it didn't work out. Needless to say, I was never so glad to be back home, I cried when my plane landed at JFK.

Nov 13, 2017 08:22 AM

Debb Janes

Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA

Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

I'm thankful you're an American too, Beth. You are a lovely human being and I'm happy your feet kiss the earth. But, especially happy to add you to our country. We need beautiful souls more than ever.

Nov 13, 2017 12:41 PM

Beth Atalay

Clermont, FL

Beth Atalay

You are soo..so..soo sweet Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD we do need beautiful souls. I was at a listing appointment earlier today and we started chatting about people and how vicious they could be. Thank goodness there are also beautiful, loving, caring ones like you as well.

Nov 13, 2017 12:51 PM

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Beth I also came from another country, and it angers me when I see people take for granted what many can only dream of having. Those who think this country so bad, are spoiled and do not know what bad is. I like you are very grateful for calling the USA my home.

Nov 13, 2017 02:44 PM

Beth Atalay

Clermont, FL

Beth Atalay

Hi George Souto, in some of the countries one would go to jail for burning a flag, those who don't like this country should go and try living in an other country and see how it is.

Nov 13, 2017 03:58 PM

Endre Barath, Jr.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA

Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Beth all I can say is "ME TOO" like you I came here as a youngster and thanks to my parents I am here and I am proud to be an American who is happy to stand at the National Anthem, Endre

Nov 13, 2017 11:52 PM

Beth Atalay

Clermont, FL

Beth Atalay

Good morning Endre Barath, Jr., I'm with you, proud to stand for the National Anthem.

Nov 14, 2017 05:50 AM

Michael Eisenberg

eXp Realty - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham Real Estate Guy

Thanks for the reminder, we are all so blessed to be living here in America, with all of our problems we still have it lots better than most of the world.

Nov 14, 2017 05:51 PM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Beth- cheers to this post. While I was born here, I count my blessings every day that I was. And, I'm glad that my Sunday post was able to alert you to this challenge.

Nov 16, 2017 03:40 PM

Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN

The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I was at a closing a couple of weeks ago and the buyer was Turkish. She said she miss the beautiful city she was from but afraid to go visit as they might hold her there. She has lived here for over 30 years. How sad that must be to want to see your home and have that fear.

Nov 20, 2017 06:23 PM