In 1959 Helmy El-Sherif left Alexandria, Egypt, to study engineering at Michigan State University. On December 21 he arrived on Pier 44 in New York City. His great love affair with America began. He got on a bus and made a long ride through the wintry landscape, fetching up on the campus in East Lansing. “I made my first friend in America on December 24,” he says. “We were shaving in the shower room at Armstrong Hall.” He made many more friends over the years, and kept them because he tends his friendships like a garden. He married his best friend, Charen, and they had two beautiful and accomplished children. There are also two grandchildren who, Helmy assures me, are perfect in every way.
Charen and Helmy built The Good Life, just like it says in the American Dream. Helmy earned a PhD in electrical engineering from Michigan State, made a fine career at IBM, took a sabbatical to earn an MBA from Harvard, returned to IBM and eventually retired to travel the world and spoil his grandchildren. He is an ardent Republican, a diligent fundraiser for Harvard University, a member of the Dutch Reformed Church. All of this is completely astonishing unless you know Helmy, in which case it is perfectly understandable. It also gives us plenty of fodder for debates, our favorite pastime over the years.
I thought you would like to know that the American Dream, as problematic and challenging as it may be, still lives. It is a great myth, and like all truly great myths it has truth in it. For Helmy and his family, it is simply their personal history. Their story has many happy endings, and one great sadness. Charen died of cancer several years ago. She will be dearly missed today as Helmy stands on the pier in New York City once again, showing his daughter where it all began.
Happy 50th Anniversary, my friend.
Torch Lake Views 
Scott Thomas Photography
December 21, 2009
Indeed. Thank you for coming and enriching our land, our people and our country, Helmy.
Helmy El-Sherif
December 21, 2009
I took the train to NYC and got of at Grand Central Station. I traced my steps back to the Port Authority terminal and to the pier. It brought back memories of getting off the ship with two suitcases and no topcoat. Before leaving Egypt I asked the US Consul General in Egypt about the weather, and when I told him that my destination was East Lansing, he told me it is warm. What he meant that it is warm compared to the Upper Penensula, and I took that as it is as warm as Cairo. My first purchase was a top coat.
During the years I was blessed with the many friends I made including the author Gerry Sell, whom I was priveliged to meet in 1963. She is a very smart and caring person.
Merry Christmas and thank you all for your hospitality.
Gerry
December 22, 2009
Think of that. My goodness that is a long time ago. And in all that time I have never once managed to get you to see the error of your political ways. I must redouble my efforts. Merry Christmas, Helmy.
Carsten
December 23, 2009
Congratulations with the Anniversary Helmy.
Thank you for yet another interesting story Gerry.
In this connection I can tell you that my fathers sister and her husband left Denmark to build a new life in New Jersie in the early 50’s.
…About my Swedish ancestors another time.
Gerry
December 23, 2009
Well, those are some pretty interesting stories, too. I look forward to hearing more.