Last weekend, my family went to New York. We did the usual tourist attractions – Times Square, the Empire State Building, and the American Museum of Natural History. But the attractions that held the most meaning for me were the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

In 1920, my grandfather arrived on Ellis Island from Italy. With only $25 to his name, he came here for a better life. I can’t imagine how he must have felt as he boarded that ship and left behind all he had ever known to go to America.

As a laborer, he worked hard to provide for his family so that his children could have better than what he had. His work ethic lives on. Each generation has worked hard so the future can do better.

My father became the first college graduate in our family and was determined that his three children would all go to college, which we did. In fact, I’m the first woman to graduate from college and law school in my family. Without my grandfather’s courage to chase after a dream in America, I wouldn’t be living in the greatest country in the world.

When someone asks me what I’m thankful for, I say I’m thankful for my grandfather’s dream, sacrifice, and hard work.

What are you thankful for this holiday season?