If we could just focus on solutions

My father was what you would call a community man. His entire life revolved around service to the Armenian community. It gave him such joy to see people come together for a common goal. He would often say that consensus was the hardest thing to achieve in our communities. Having opinions was never the problem—in fact, expressing diverse views usually brings the best solution forward. The challenge lies in the transition from opinions to consensus to decision. That’s why community life can sometimes feel messy, filled with conflicts and disagreements. But as long as the dialogue is focused on the merit of the issues—and not egos—eventually, the best solution will emerge. 

He was at his best as a participant in that process. Our family’s social life was deeply integrated with the Armenian community. Although both my parents were born in this country, most of their friends were Armenians. We took family vacations, but they were always scheduled around community events. My father served as a deacon of the church and planned carefully to ensure continuity in the community. There were times when, as children, we considered it a bit of an annoyance, but over time, we came to admire the dedication and commitment our parents humbly displayed.