--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was blessed to be able to be born here…" description: "\"I was blessed to be able to be born here. My dad crossed. My dad illegally went through the border and was living under a bridge; he was homeless. Peop..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6a/brian-ortega-6596_blessed_i-was-blessed-to-be-able-to-be-born-here_272337.jpg" --- # I was blessed to be able to be born here. My dad crossed… ![“I was blessed to be able to be born here. My dad crossed. My dad illegally went through the border and was living under a bridge; he was homeless. People are making fun of him, beating him up. All kinds of things. After he kind of figured out the situation, he brought my mom over.” quote by Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6a/brian-ortega-6596_blessed_i-was-blessed-to-be-able-to-be-born-here_272337.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6a/brian-ortega-6596_blessed_i-was-blessed-to-be-able-to-be-born-here_272337.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6a/brian-ortega-6596_blessed_i-was-blessed-to-be-able-to-be-born-here_272337.jpg) > “I was blessed to be able to be born here. My dad crossed. My dad illegally went through the border and was living under a bridge; he was homeless. People are making fun of him, beating him up. All kinds of things. After he kind of figured out the situation, he brought my mom over.” [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker shares a personal family story of immigration hardship, resilience, and eventual reunification, highlighting adversity and gratitude. **In simple terms:** His family overcame illegal border crossing hardships and reunited. Key Takeaway Recognize privilege and support those facing similar struggles. Themes immigration family resilience gratitude Mood empathetic hopeful Type inspirational social commentary When to use this quote - advocacy work - community support - policy discussion - personal storytelling Key Concepts border crossing homelessness family reunification social adversity Questions to Reflect On - How can societies better support immigrant families? - What responsibilities do those who benefit have? A Different Perspective Complex legal issues may limit solutions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessed/) [Border](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/border/) [Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dad/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Homeless people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homeless-people/) [Making fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-fun/) [Mom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mom/) ## Related quotes > [The idea was to restore the rule of law, to bring order to a chaotic situation. The results became more and more apparent. 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I just want him to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-victor-paskavich/i-don-t-want-a-reward-from-god-for-taking-in-all-the-homeless-people/) [Stanley Victor Paskavich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-victor-paskavich/) > [From paying off friends' tax bills to rescuing stray dogs and stuffing £20 notes into the hands of homeless people, I can't get rid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-burchill/from-paying-off-friends-tax-bills-to-rescuing-stray-dogs-and-stuffing/) [Julie Burchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-burchill/) > [“Nowhere in the bible did it say, “Only show compassion and empathy to those you can trust.” If we did that, we would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/nowhere-in-the-bible-did-it-say-only-show-compassion-and-empathy-to/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [The work my mum does, a lot of it is re-housing homeless people, that's a real job. 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Because they explore, they move forward, they go through the ups and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-millan/homeless-people-s-dogs-are-more-knowledgeable-than-dogs-in-beverly/) [Cesar Millan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-millan/) > [In college, when I was kind of confronted with facts and figures about inequality in America, a big impulse I had was to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-desmond/in-college-when-i-was-kind-of-confronted-with-facts-and-figures-about/) [Matthew Desmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-desmond/) > [“I no longer follow the voices of the sane. I follow the ill because they see farther, feel much more and change what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/i-no-longer-follow-the-voices-of-the-sane-i-follow-the-ill-because/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [Homeless people give the best advice, everything they say always makes a lot of cents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/homeless-people-give-the-best-advice-everything-they-say-always-makes/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [“He changed his final wad up at the train station. Which was a sad place now. There were homeless people and disturbed people hanging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-child/he-changed-his-final-wad-up-at-the-train-station-which-was-a-sad/) [Lee Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-child/) > [Well it's not that I HATE them, but honestly if I saw two homeless people begging for money, one white and one black, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/well-it-s-not-that-i-hate-them-but-honestly-if-i-saw-two-homeless/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [These days many politicians are demanding change. Just like homeless people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/these-days-many-politicians-are-demanding-change-just-like-homeless/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Covid-19 has lit an even hotter fire in me to become a more active participant in advocating for homeless people and homelessness relief. Being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myha-la/covid-19-has-lit-an-even-hotter-fire-in-me-to-become-a-more-active/) [Myha'la](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myha-la/) ## More by Brian Ortega > [When I go in the Octagon, it's no big deal. Just gonna go fight. Majority of the people? 'Dude, I'm scared to even walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/when-i-go-in-the-octagon-it-s-no-big-deal-just-gonna-go-fight/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [I always try not to look too far ahead. I just look far enough to know where I'm going next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/i-always-try-not-to-look-too-far-ahead-i-just-look-far-enough-to-know/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [Two good, large fights a year is good enough for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/two-good-large-fights-a-year-is-good-enough-for-me/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [I'm the kind of guy who, if you tell me you can't do something, like, 'Brian, you can't do a backflip off that two-floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/i-m-the-kind-of-guy-who-if-you-tell-me-you-can-t-do-something-like/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [A lot of people think they need the best training partners, the best gym. I started with Vans, Jack in the Box, and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/a-lot-of-people-think-they-need-the-best-training-partners-the-best/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [I saw my first UFC fight when I was 15 and figured, 'This is what I want to do when I grow up.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/i-saw-my-first-ufc-fight-when-i-was-15-and-figured-this-is-what-i/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [Fight fans always appreciate a fighter who is willing to step up on short notice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/fight-fans-always-appreciate-a-fighter-who-is-willing-to-step-up-on/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [I want to secure my name. I'll fight who I have to fight for the belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/i-want-to-secure-my-name-i-ll-fight-who-i-have-to-fight-for-the-belt/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [I liked to pretend a lot. I thought I could be anything that I wanted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/i-liked-to-pretend-a-lot-i-thought-i-could-be-anything-that-i-wanted/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [I've gotta check, but I think I'll be the first UFC fighter in history to have the lead role in a big movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/i-ve-gotta-check-but-i-think-i-ll-be-the-first-ufc-fighter-in-history/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [Fighting is great, but I can't do it forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/fighting-is-great-but-i-can-t-do-it-forever/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [When I get in there, I try to really make sure there's no quit in me and that whoever I fight is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/when-i-get-in-there-i-try-to-really-make-sure-there-s-no-quit-in-me/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [Put on a camera and put on some whatever, and you're an actor. Put me in a cage, I'm a fighter. Put me somewhere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/put-on-a-camera-and-put-on-some-whatever-and-you-re-an-actor-put-me/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [I very strongly dislike fear. I always say fear keeps us from living our lives and doing the things we want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/i-very-strongly-dislike-fear-i-always-say-fear-keeps-us-from-living/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [Fighting was a problem for me in high school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/fighting-was-a-problem-for-me-in-high-school/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) [Explore all 98 Brian Ortega quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) ## More Blessed quotes > [And I have been very blessed, having coached some of the greatest that have ever played the game. But if I had to start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-auerbach/and-i-have-been-very-blessed-having-coached-some-of-the-greatest-that/) [Red Auerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-auerbach/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the children of God. Peace is the nurse of love. Peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-i/peace-is-the-first-thing-the-angels-sang-peace-is-the-mark-of-the/) [Pope Leo I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-i/) > [As in any machine, all the wires must be connected to the mains through one main wire. In the same way, you all must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/as-in-any-machine-all-the-wires-must-be-connected-to-the-mains/) [Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/) > [Literally every person in my life is so amazing. I even don't understand how I am so blessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/literally-every-person-in-my-life-is-so-amazing-i-even-don-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I had a very blessed journey with the upbringing I had. When you're working on sets as a stuntman, you have a firsthand account…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-roman-waugh/i-had-a-very-blessed-journey-with-the-upbringing-i-had-when-you-re/) [Ric Roman Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-roman-waugh/) > [You know, I'm blessed. 'Blessed' is a better way of saying 'rich.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/you-know-i-m-blessed-blessed-is-a-better-way-of-saying-rich/) [Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/) > [All the dangers in our world are like a blessed wake up call. They tell us to live life NOW... not tomorrow, not when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/all-the-dangers-in-our-world-are-like-a-blessed-wake-up-call-they/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [Of course the Dharma-body of the Buddha was the hedge at the bottom of the garden. At the same time, and no less obviously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/of-course-the-dharma-body-of-the-buddha-was-the-hedge-at-the-bottom/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [I've been blessed to have a body that's durable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-millsap/i-ve-been-blessed-to-have-a-body-that-s-durable/) [Paul Millsap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-millsap/) > [I feel that I'm very blessed. But with great blessings come great responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/i-feel-that-i-m-very-blessed-but-with-great-blessings-come-great/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [Benny Carter came up to me and said to me, "You know, in the whole history of the alto, I think Phil is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/benny-carter-came-up-to-me-and-said-to-me-you-know-in-the-whole/) [Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/) > [I feel as if I have been blessed to undergo a transformation from 'gangster' to 'redeemed sinner with gangster proclivities.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/i-feel-as-if-i-have-been-blessed-to-undergo-a-transformation-from/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [“The blood of Jesus Christ is as blessed and divine a payment for the transgressions of blaspheming Peter as for the shortcomings of loving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-h-spurgeon/the-blood-of-jesus-christ-is-as-blessed-and-divine-a-payment-for-the/) [Charles H. Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-h-spurgeon/) > [Without a trace of irony I can say I have been blessed with brilliant enemies. I owe them a great debt, because they redoubled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-o-wilson/without-a-trace-of-irony-i-can-say-i-have-been-blessed-with-brilliant/) [E. O. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-o-wilson/) [Browse all 4,183 Blessed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessed/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was blessed to be able to be born here. My dad crossed. My dad illegally went through the border and was living under a bridge; he was homeless. People are making fun of him, beating him up. All kinds of things. 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