I became very interested in government and politics very early in life. I was involved in class governance in grade school, high school and college. I did my college internship at the Michigan Republican State Committee led then by Spencer Abraham who went on to become a U.S. Senator and Secretary of Energy. Upon graduating from college, I even ran for state representative at the ripe old age of 22.

In 2014, Secretary Kerry labeled the atrocities committed against Christians and other minorities in Iraq a genocide. Vice President Pence reaffirmed the designation in 2017 but that has had little impact on the Trump’s Administration’s plans to deport members of our community.

Despite recognizing that Iraq is highly dangerous, particularly for religious and ethnic minorities, on June 11, 2017, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began arresting and detaining a large number of Iraqi nationals – most of whom are Chaldeans – in preparation for deportation.

The word “contour” suggests a boundary; an outline or an edge. It’s used in the context of everything from wine, to maps to geometry. The contours that define Chaldeans are easily identified: God, family, community. But these contours are then framed, supported and validated by community institutions that exist to protect and build up these values. In my view, these institutions are under constant attack—often by the forces of modernity, materialism and apathy.

The community and the Shenandoah family in particular were shocked by the sudden death of Kays “Kenny” Zair last month. Kenny was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Over the years, he was a fixture at Southfield Manor and then Shenandoah. He also was a past President of the Chaldean Iraqi Association of Michigan. He was known for his light-hearted good cheer and friendliness. It is not without notice that Kenny passed away at his second home, the Shenandoah Country Club. Kenny will be greatly missed by his family and friends. The loss of his presence at Shenandoah will be felt by many. Kenny was the ultimate Nadee’ (Club) man.

As I listened to Chaldean Community Foundation CEO Martin Manna lay out the various needs of Chaldean refugees, my eyes circled the room filled with Chaldean American attorneys. I tried to recall how many attorneys were in the community when I graduated from Wayne State Law School in 1997. Not very many. I began to think about the relatively brief but beautiful history of our attorney community.

When our oldest daughter was about six months old, her first word was not mama or dada. It was “hi.” Not only did she know how to say it she seemed to sort of know when to say it. It was sort of ex­traordinary actually and it was kind of cute. But then it also became annoying because she would say it all day long every time a physical person crossed her line of vision.

Life and death. Those are big things. The beauty of life and the mystery of death are topics for the ages. These ideas were captured in all their majesty and mercu­rialness in a 2016 book by Paul Kalanithi titled When Breath Becomes Air, which was recommended to me by a friend.

This past December 5, mid-morning, I made sure my schedule was cleared. I was intent to watch on TV what was sure to be a historic occasion—the memorial service for Presi­dent George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral. It did not dis­appoint.

We are near the end of our 15th year as a monthly magazine. I sometimes can’t believe it myself. At the start, I never really thought about the paper’s longevity. We have gone through challenges and triumphs in the world and inside our own business. During that time, my life has changed so much over the years.