สุขสันต์วันเกิด dear Jira



We are born into this world helpless and our path is unknown. Every parent wants the very best for their child and harbor secret dreams, but we never truly know what lies ahead for them. We cherish each success and share their sadness when things don’t work out as hoped.

My daughter-in-law, Jira, was born in a small village, hours outside of Bangkok to a farming family. Little could her parents imagine where her path would take her on that April day.

Gaining acceptance into Thai universities is not easy, but Jira was successful and earned a university degree. Sadly not recognized in the USA.

Brett and Jira met in Bangkok where he was working and they fell in love. When he came back to the US, Jira soon followed and Brett navigated the maze of the immigration process. He said the naturalization ceremony was one of the most moving events he has ever experienced. The judge’s remarks brought tears.

What adjectives would I use to describe Jira? Intelligent, determined, creative, beautiful inside and out, come to mind.

Jira took several ESL classes at community college to improve her English, with great success due to her practice and diligence.

She now works at Nationwide Insurance.  Many of those hired at the same time, no longer have jobs due to poor performance or outsourcing.  But because of Jira’s strong work ethic and knowledge, she is one of a select few retained in her department.

Jira gave me my best birthday surprise a few years ago, by decorating my bed with sparkles and a big banner. No one has ever done something like that and I was teary-eyed. 

While I am happy her father and family can relish her successes, I am deeply saddened her mother passed before Jira came to the USA. 

สุขสันต์วันเกิด dear Jira, there is no one as special as you in our world. Thank you for being in our lives.

Ajijic, April 2020

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