Many people have said that America is like a melting pot or stew, but I think our country is more of a garden. In a melting pot, all of the ingredients blend together into mush. When you make stew, it all becomes one flavor and nothing stands out. Try as I might, I can't think of any food that is truly able to be associated with America. But a garden is different.

When an immigrant first comes to America, he or she puts out new, young roots into the soil of our heritage. These roots become entwined, almost connected you might say, to other root systems, holding the soil together. With the soil held together, we are saved from erosion. We learn of the ways these people have suffered in their countries, so we know which mistakes not to make. It is good this way because when we learn about other nations, we can incorporate their strong points into our ever- growing garden. For this reason, the sun of freedom always shines over our garden.

Even though we are all different, we all originated as seeds. Some of us are violets or mums, some ferns or vines, but none of us are weeds. We are all beautiful. This is wonderful because in many other places, no one accepts differences. In our garden we all help each other because our roots hold the soil together. Our garden is watered with kindness and friendship causing us to grow and to flourish. These things are good because in other places, the soil crumbles; the plants dry up, but not in America.I love America because it has so many good qualities. We offer a home to immigrants so that they can be happy. They, in turn, make our nation stronger and help it to thrive. They pass on new traditions to us and enrich our culture. I can't imagine what our garden would be like without immigrants. It would be similar to a garden with only roses. Roses are nice, but I think variety and diversity is better. We are all lucky and should be thankful to be rooted in the garden of America.

Over time, America has become,

A gorgeous mosaic made of precious, living stones.

The jade stands for Asian immigrants,

Who brought mysterious China Towns and fireworks,

Along with sweet and sour chicken.

The ruby symbolizes the Hispanics,

With their juicy burritos and tacos,

Fiestas, marichis, and piñatas!

The sapphire represents the French,

Down to Louisiana,

Right to Cajun Land,

With jambalaya, gumbo, and zydeco.

The emerald stone is for Italians,

Who have brought pasta and pizza along.

Now, the diamond,

Who is dedicated to this special group,

Forced to make it here,

Because of slavery,

When finally free,

Deciding to stay,

They are the African Americans!

Let's not forget the native turquoise,

Made for the Indians the immigrants have found,

Who have introduced and shared this beautiful land

That we today call America.

There are so many other stones,

Too many to name them all,

These immigrants who brought their history,

Their customs and their ministries,

Together create this grand mosaic,

Making all these people,

United to form America,

In a unique melting pot!!!

You might not be able to tell from looking at me, that I come from a family of many immigrants. My friends might think that I look “American,” but they don’t realize that each part of me reflects the characteristics of my ancestors. For example, I got my blonde hair from my Swedish relatives, my green eyes from my Northern Spanish relatives, my fair skin and freckles from my Irish relatives, my short height from my Puerto Rican relatives, and my facial shape from my Finnish relatives.

Immigration is common in my family, and many of my relatives have married people from different countries, faiths and backgrounds. Two of my grandparents and all of my great-grandparents immigrated from different countries, and many of my great-great-grandparents were immigrants, too. My father immigrated here from England. His parents went to England from Ireland. We all have different accents than our looks. And different interests and celebrations.

My friends think it’s unusual that we celebrate different holidays and eat different foods, but they also find it interesting. We celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve as they do in Europe, and also Santa Lucia Day and Midsommar as they do in Sweden. We’d much rather eat rice and beans, chapattis, spanikopita, Cornish pasties and ratatouille than typical American dishes. My sister and I have even learned to cook the dishes ourselves. When we listen to music, we listen to everything from Irish jigs, to Swedish polkas, to Spanish sambas to English folk songs. Our house is filled with furniture and articles from all over the world. Our lifestyle reflects our many nationalities. Even our very best friends are from many countries.

Even though I look typically American -- but am not-- I AM a typical American, because we are all immigrants or descendants of immigrants. And that is wonderful, because it means it is easy to find the food, decorations and costumes to celebrate holidays as my ancestors have done.

This varied cultural background has enriched my life. The people I love have taught me about their religions, customs, food and celebrations. No mater who I’m with, or what country I’m in, I feel very much at home. Thanks to my Dad, I feel especially at home in England.

Being exposed to so many different opinions has made me look at America’s problems in new ways. I often find that other countries have handled similar problems in better ways than we have and I hope I’m open-minded enough to learn from them. I would like to convince my country to consider many world views before making decisions. And I hope my fellow immigrants try their very best to do the same. Maybe if we remember that we are all immigrants, then we can continue to make America a better place to live.

Dedicated to my parents, grandparents and to all immigrants who have endured personal hardships for the sake of their children. Leaving their homelands and bravely entering a foreign country with hopes and dreams of freedom, happiness and prosperity.

The gift of America, a gift of immigrants!

My ancestors are from Poland, Where life was hard and long, Their future was in a new land, America is where they belong.

The dirt floor, wooden shack, Beds of feathers and straw, The privy around back, Was the last thing they saw.

They turned and gazed, For one last look, The home where they were raised, Is the memory they took.

Over the Atlantic by ship, Many hardships were endured, Herbal tea they would sip, Their senses were blurred.

Days and nights of wondering, Frightened and alone were they, Deep doubts were pondering, Through this long, long way.

Two weeks of seasickness, Unsure of their choice, America came in darkness, No one did rejoice.

They boarded a train, Never understanding the words, Lightning and rain, Were all that they heard.

The train's wheels were squealing, The sudden stop that they felt, Nervous stomachs were feeling, And hearts about to melt.

Streetlights and cars Intensifying the fear, And heard from afar, A familiar voice so clear.

"Welcome, Welcome, You're finally here!" Our senses were numb, They broke into tears.

America at last! ! Everything so new, Letting go of the past, It's a hard thing to do.

Grandpa and Grandma, My Mom and her brothers, From Poland to America, Similar stories of others.

Son of an immigrant, America, my home, A story so important, Memorialized in poem.

Our ancestors from somewhere, So brave and alone, Gave a gift so rare, America, Our Home!

Every American’s favorite……

One pound of potatoes and a teaspoon of Irish humor

One ounce of coconut and 3 cups of Filipino faith

Five ounces of noodles and a liter of Italian artwork

One pound of liekbasi and ½ tablespoon of Polish courage

One teaspoon of sauerkraut and a cup of German determination

Five teaspoons of soy sauce and an ounce of Chinese history

Two pounds of escargot and a tablespoon of French cooking

Two tablespoons of tea and six ounces of British etiquette

One ounce of figs and one pound of African tribal dancing

Two pounds of Korean rice and ½ tablespoon of Korean silk

We hope that you enjoy “America’s Stew.” With all of the surprising ingredients, it makes the most interesting and exciting meal of all!

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