
Mohammed Kalati, 58, Tehran taxi driver for 20 years.
“I was into agriculture and freighting fruit when I came to Tehran 35 years ago from Khorasan. One year I lost a lot of money so I got myself a taxi.
“It’s survival but I have no complaints. I’ve been to Mecca twice with my wife; I’ve been to Karbala and I’ve been to Syria [all on pilgrimages].
"From Karbala I came back with a stack of cash, thinking I was about to go back and spend it with my wife. But [the U.S. invasion of Iraq] started and now I assume all that cash is worthless because it has Saddam's picture on it. I'll keep it; maybe someday it'll have some other kind of value.
“I have bought a car for my son and his wife, gave him his own apartment, gave him cash to get started, and even on some months, his mother doesn’t let them pay for water and electricity. That makes me feel fulfilled.
“All my four daughters are married off. All are productive, school teachers, so on.
“I can’t get insurance because they say I’m too old now. That bothers me but I refuse to worry about it too much. I am thankful. I thank God everyday.
“I worked hard for what I have and after 40 years one should have a little bit of something to live on. But I know others who started out with me and they are still renting and living hand to mouth, because they were into partying. I was careful; I saved my money and invested wisely.
“Everything that happens is God’s will, so why worry? Those who worry, those who complain, they surprise me. They are not logical.
“Yes, people are under a lot of pressure. There’s a lot to complain about. My sister’s son has to pay 10 million tomans [$10,869 USD] just for the right to move into a rented apartment. Can you believe it?
“When I was young, you could do your traveling, your marrying, your raising of children and still have something left over. Not today.
“But tell me, what is the use of complaining? What is that going to accomplish?
“They say, ‘the one who giveth teeth’—meaning God—‘also giveth bread’. God provides. There is no reason to lust for more.
“May you live to be 100 years old and every one of those years is productive. May you find happiness every moment of your life. Know that my prayers are with you.