I appreciate being an immigrant in America

I am not sure what created an impulse to write this story.

Roaming through the crowd in Atlanta airport during my changeover, as I was flying from America’s West Coast to Florida?

A meeting in Los Angeles where I discussed a start-up idea with someone I had met only once before?

Going through a myriad of other entrepreneurial and career ideas, most of which will not see the light of day, but some might?

An upcoming call with my ex-boss — related to my meeting in LA — who kind of fired me (didn’t extend my consulting contract to full-time employment), but as he was delivering his message, said, “You have this enormous, incredible potential, Alexei”? I’m not quoting him to comfort myself. I think he meant it.

Observing the mess in Russia, which I left ten years ago?

Debating with my wife whether where to live in America? There are many choices and factors. Some are emotional, some financial, and some related to our kids.

Thousands of miles that I ran in America’s different states and cities feeling joyful?

See my kids happy and making friends no matter where we move, where they move?

Debating with my oldest son on political and social issues, who just turned eighteen and is off to college soon? He’s leaning right. Sometimes I agree with his thinking, often I don’t. Always, however, I think — it’s a blessing that we live in a free country…