4th of July

This is probably the 4th or 5th time I've had to celebrate Independence Day from abroad. Back home, friends and families are getting together, sharing food, putting up the American flag, watching fireworks, celebrating veterans and soldiers to remember the cost of freedom, and recalling the land of opportunity.

I had a chance to reflect on Family and the American Dream as I visited the village of Olkruhe, Slovakia. My great-grandfather, Michael Bosak, came from this village. In 1885, at the age of 16, he left Slovakia for America, with no money, and started to work in the coal mines around Scranton. Working hard for some years, saving money, making contacts, being very honest with people, and learning the ropes, he started a small bank which became bigger and eventually had several branches. He also owned a distillery, hotel, and Slovak language newspaper. Like thousands of "rags to riches" success stories from that era, his accomplishments provided hope. His signature was on ten dollar notes distributed by the Treasury and he was a co-signer of the Pittsburgh Pact that united Czech and Slovak Republics into Czechoslovakia in 1919. He made a trip to Slovakia in the 1920's and built a school in his home village (the first new school in Czechoslovakia) and opened a bank in a nearby town. He also gave money to many local Slovaks who asked him for help. When the Great Depression hit in the U.S., there were no laws protecting consumers, and people across America lost all of the money in their bank accounts. Michael Bosak returned money to his customers when the banks closed, and the same honesty that helped him make his fortune also took it from him. He was broke.

I arrived in Kosice where I met cousins Rudolf and Martin Bosak. I'm not sure exactly how we are related, but these brothers wrote a book about Michael Bosak a few years back and have been close with the Bosak family in America ever since. They made a few trips to the states to visit, though I only met Rudolf, and if I met Martin, it was briefly. Rudolf was a character in his own right. Once out at dinner, after ordering appetizers and entree, He declared to the waitress, "and I will have you for dessert", not knowing that this wasn't a customary thing to do in America. Another time, when he was a guest at a convent in Pennsylvania where there were some Slovak speaking nuns, Rudolf got so drunk that he was driven up to the convent at 3AM in a police car. Rudolf was now driving me to see Jozef and Jozefina Rokyta at their house in Olkruhe. Jozef's mother was Michael Bosak's younger sister, thus, he is the last remaining direct relative of his generation. I had never met Jozef (85?) or Jozefina (late 70's).

I walked into the living room where I saw 4 shot glasses lined up on the table next to bottles of vodka, Slivovica (plum brandy) and Demenovka (a slovakian liquer). We quickly downed a few shots and I conversed a little in German with Jozef. He spoke slowly, and his German wasn't up to date, so much was translated by Rudolf. We were able to talk about hunting, family members, about how he and Jozefina were teachers at the school in Olkruhe that Michael built. He laughed as he told me about the time my mother and brother visited 7 years ago. He said that he and Andy, like clockwork, walked down to the pub together every evening for a beer. I could tell he really enjoyed that, and I can picture my peaceful agrarian brother smiling as he spent time with Jozef in this simple rural setting.

Jozefina bounced around, she was full of energy, running to the kitchen and back. (as an aside, this is the second time I've been in a place were the woman of the house doesn't have a place setting, but rather serves. Chrisa Mavrogeorgis was the same way. I wasn't entirely comfortable at first. I wanted to help out because I am young and strong. But I soon realized, that I am only "younger", perhaps not even stronger.)

We looked at some picture albums after dinner of the time Jozef and Jozefina were in the states, Jozef dressed in cowboy boots and hat. I talked about my trip and my mother and brother and we sipped some wine. Soon it was time to go. I gave Jozef and Jozefina 2 big hugs (one for mom). Jozef's eyes started to tear as I walked to the car. I felt really sad. All of his relatives on the Bosak side live in America, he hasn't met all of them, and only sees a relative every few years. As we drove off, Jozef and I stared at each other and waved good-bye, for minutes, the entire time we could until our line of sight was eventually obstructed by the rolling hills. It was like a bonding experience that superceded the language barrier and expressed our mutual feelings. Rudolf looked over at me and said "I think it good you come to see Rokyta."

"Yes, I'm really glad I came," my voice a little shaky from emotions.

"Rokyta, he have stroke 2 years ago. He very much slower. I think, probably...... you last Bosak from America to visit Rokyta."

"I hope not," I said somberly.

"I too, yes....But that is life," Rudolf stated.

I put my sunglasses on. My eyes were tearing and I didn't want them to be visible. When this sort of reality sets in, you just hope that you made the most of the time you had. I certainly tried, but somehow, it wasn't enough time. I don't know if you can ever have enough time for family. Before I was able to let my sadness build up, the shortcut we were on, which Jozef expressly told Rudolf not to take, turned into a dirt road with big rocks and potholes. Then suddenly, the car was surrounded by thousands of mosquitoes. We rolled the windows up and the mosquitoes, which covered every inch of the outside of the car, flew alongside us as we negotiated the road.
"Bodyguards," delcared Rudolf. We laughed, I more at his choice of words, and I came back to the present moment. I was ready again to make the most of my time with Rudolf.