DIVERSIFY RETIREMENT STRATEGIES

‘why’ I am taking this such a risky step in my life.”

In 2007, Nurdel saw the theater production of “The Diary of Anne Frank”. He said it was difficult to sit and watch the play, so much so that he walked out of the theater.

“I just couldn’t control myself because my childhood was just right in front of me and I saw so much similarities of what Anne Frank had endured and I had,” said Nurdel.

Although Nurdel shared bits and pieces of his story with others, the play helped him realize that he too needed to share his story of religious persecution with a wider audience. Over the years, he has felt more comfortable talking about his story and writing the book has been the ultimate healing, said Nurdel.

Throughout the book, Nurdel details each day of the two-week trek to the United Nations office in Ankara, Turkey. He writes about his time as a refugee in Turkey, what the process was like to get to America and when he got his U.S. citizenship in the nineties.

Along the way, Nurdel does not forget to mention the status of his two friends who also endured the terrain with him. He also introduces the readers to the families he bonded with, his family in Iran and the family he helped create with his wife.

As a promise to his family, he continued his education and completed a doctor of optometry degree at the University of Missouri in St. Louis.

Nurdel found a home in Denver where he has helped establish one of the largest eye-care centers in Highlands Ranch and has become one of the nation’s top indepen- dently owned eye-care centers.

Stepping into a new country proved challenging, however, Nurdel kept his faith and dedicated his new found freedom to helping and educating others.

Nurdel started writing his book in 2019, finishing the first draft during the pandemic.

When the new unrest and riots started happening in Iran last year, Nurdel wanted the book out as soon as possible.

Nurdel canceled his contract, went down the self-publisher route and his book was printed in early March.

“The main goal is [for] everyone to know what’s going on today in the world,” said Nurdel. “We can close our eyes to see what’s going on around the world, but we cannot. We need to know.

The Baha’i community in Iran continues to face injustices and persecution, said Nurdel.

“It seems that it was 35 years ago… It’s really not,” said Nurdel.

Nurdel spoke about the resolutions passed by Congress that have made an impact. He encourages others to contact local representatives and ask them for support the next time there is a resolution in the Senate or Congress.

Nurdel also hopes people do not stereotype and avoid coming to an immediate judgment when hearing someone with an accent, instead take the opportunity to learn about them.

“There may be a beautiful story behind that accent,” said Nurdel. “There could be a life changing story that you can learn from that person.”

The book can be purchased in major bookstores, on the official website as well as Amazon. In addition, an audio book of “One More Mountain” will soon be available.

“If the book has touched only one person, I’m good,” said Nurdel.

Cheyenne-Arapaho Park

Grand Reopening Celebration

Friday, June 16 | 1:30–2:30 p.m.

Deadline approaching Attention Arapahoe County property owners–if you believe your Notification of Valuation statement doesn’t accurately reflect the value of your property, you can submit an appeal through the County Assessor’s O ce through June 8.

Learn more at arapahoegov.com/Assessor