A Russian Taxi Driver Changed My Life

It’s weird how life works. You know? I met a Russian in Texas who change my life. Really. I believe he did.

I travel quite a bit but it’s rare that I take a taxi. In fact, I’ve probably only taken a taxi a dozen times in my life. Well, I’ll tell you what, this taxi ride was like no other.

Michael, my taxi driver is a 56 year old husband and father of 3 who came to America in 1989 with $150 in his pockets, no house, no job, no friends and with no idea what would take place in the days and years to come. He most definitely had no idea that 18 years later he’d be sharing his life story to a stranger from Nashville, TN on a taxi ride to the Dallas airport.

The 30 minute from Plano to DFW airport wasn’t nearly enough time for every detail of his life but those 30 minutes were priceless. I listened intently as he recounted his arrival to America; starting at a refugee camp in Rome, he flew over to New York, had a short layover and then touched down in Dallas. He was greeted by a family of Russian-American Jews who had come to welcome and take care of this new Russian-Jewish immigrant. I don’t have time to tell that part of the story but trust me, the way that community came around Michael and his family was amazing and inspiring.

Michael talked about his first job in the states where from 10pm until 6am he would clean Jack n the Box restaurants for a $4.25/hr (minimum wage at that time). He retold how he landed his first taxi driver job and how he would drive 18 hours a day in order to provide for his family. He painted a vivid picture for me of how life was in Russia (the former Soviet Union) where freedom and choice were not a part of everyday life like here in the states. His love and appreciation for America was apparent, more so than I was used to seeing. He spoke of this country as a husband would about his wife. He loves America.

His attitude was distinctly different than that of the media who make America out to be shameful and sometimes something I’m embarrassed of (and I don't know why). But not in that moment; I was proud to be from a country that promoted freedom and choice. I was proud to be from a country where a Russian Jew could not only survive but thrive. In that moment I was proud to be an American.

But that’s not all I took away from our conversation and by know means the most important nugget. You see, toward the tail end of our chat, I asked him for advice. What would you tell a 30 year old husband and soon-to-be- father of two about life?

“Don’t be afraid to go down,” commanded Michael in his imperfect English and heavy Russian accent. He proceeded to tell me how American men don’t know how to take rejection, failure and loss. He told me a couple stories in particular that illustrated his point; stories of successful business men who wound up nearly homeless simply because they weren’t prepared to handle the hardships that life threw their way.

“Don’t be afraid to go down.” Those words will forever ring in my ears. How will I react when life deals me a real blow? I’m not sure. I’ve never experienced a loss of a close family member, friend, spouse or child. I’ve never gone hungry or jobless for extended period of time. I’ve never had to endure cancer or any serious ailment for that matter. Honestly, I am afraid to go down. All I can do is pray that God will grant me the hope and courage to carry on when life does deal me a blow.

This whole car ride felt surreal, like I was a part of a movie or something. But this was real. Michael’s story was real. And the story got better and better as we approached the airport. I didn’t want to get out of the car.

It’s been 18 years after Michael and his family arrived in Dallas and I haven’t even given you half the stuff he told me. He’s come a long way from cleaning fast food joints in the middle of the night. He now owns his own Taxi/Transportation Company, with 9 taxis and 6 drivers. He grosses $750.000/year and nets $150.000 of that. He has half a million dollars in the bank, a $300,000 house and 3 cars - all paid off. He talks and laughs like a man that can’t be any more joyful and content. And he’s still driving strangers around Dallas. Crazy, huh?

I’ll never forget Michael. If you ever happen to be hailing a cab in Dallas, be on the look out for a short, middle-aged Russian driver with a smile on his face…it will be life changing.
-brian