Four Score and Nine Years Ago......

Well today is the 9th anniversary of the day that my mother and I became American Citizens. 
For any of you who may have forgotten, I mainly grew up in the GREAT white North!  I do miss Canada a lot.  Especially my friends and family up there.  (Yes, Cyndi, I am talking about YOU!!!!!)

The decision to actually become an American was not as easy as you may think.  I was quite content with the knowing that I would have to renew my Green Card (it wasn't actually green.... it was pink!) every 10 years or so.   I was fine with knowing that I had no right to complain about anything here since I was not able to vote to help change anything.  I chose to stand only when the Pledge of Allegiance was recited out of respect, but I never once said the pledge until my swearing in ceremony.  I thought it was disrespectful and insincere to pledge allegiance to country that was not really mine. 

Then 9-11 happened. 

I did not know anyone who was directly impacted by this tragedy and I don't personally know anyone who lost their life, but.....
I felt like my home was attacked.  I had never really thought about the US as being my home before.
Since I married an American and all of my children are born here I know that it is highly unlikely that I will ever move back to Canada but I do still think of it as my first home.  There is nowhere more beautiful to me.

When I first moved to Utah, I cried.  For a long time.  I was so angry at my parents for making me move, especially since I was 15 and had just started high school.  It took me a long time to like it here.
And now I love it here in Utah. 

Less than one month after the tragedy, my mother and I applied for citizenship.  We anticipated this process taking a long time.   Especially with all the national security measures that have come about since 9-11. 
There were no glitches, no hiccups, no problems along the way.  We were sworn in 9 months later. 

So my gratitude attitude thought for today is hard for me to express myself.  I get very emotional when I think of all I have because I am here.  So I will instead use two thought from President George W. Bush.
"... we're not afraid. Our cause is just, and worthy of sacrifice. Our nation is strong of heart, firm of purpose. Inspired by all the courage that has come before, we will meet our moment and we will prevail."
“We will not tire, We will not falter, We will not fail.”