This is the story of my life—a journey that began in Ethiopia, where acceptance was as elusive as a good punchline, and continued through the winding paths of the Armenian community and beyond. Born into a world that often labeled me an outsider, I faced rejection from all sides. Yet, those early days of rebellion and hard-won lessons taught me the true value of connection, love, and self-reflection.

With the unwavering support of my parents and the transformative influence of my American wife—whose love and humor helped mend old wounds—my journey took a pivotal turn. Together, we've built a life spanning over 55 years, filled with both triumphs and struggles. This isn't a tale of unblemished greatness, but one of learning through hardship, discovering humility amid adversity, and letting love guide the way in an often-unforgiving world.

I am not here to boast or claim I've got it all figured out. Instead, by sharing my journey—a story of overcoming rejection, weathering life's storms, and finding strength in family—I hope to offer a genuine example for anyone navigating rough patches. Sometimes the steps were clumsy, sometimes downright funny, but every stumble turned into a steppingstone toward a more compassionate, forward-thinking future.
These defining moments include surviving a harrowing hijacking in South Africa, enduring a near-death car accident that starkly reminded me of life's fragility, being unexpectedly tapped in an area of Jerusalem and rescued by Israeli soldiers, and a battle with stage four cancer—a fight I now celebrate with over five years of complete remission.