Thankful for What We Have
We all do it. Take our every day lives for granted sometimes. Our homes, jobs, the air we breath, our health, etc. But a recent event hubby and I attended put all of that into prospective.
My husband use to work for a company where he met the sweetest young woman. A little shy at first but soon became a good friend not only to my husband, but to me too. We call her our adopted grand daughter. She was born in Turkey and came to the United States about 5 years ago to make a better life for herself.
She works several jobs to pay bills and to help pay her way through the process of becoming a US Citizen. So many interviews, several trips to the CIS office, much paper work, background checks and tests all paid off recently.
Hubby and I sat and watched as our friend and 88 other members from 36 countries proudly say the oath of allegiance to become a US Citizen. We sang the National Anthem and watched a video of other future citizens take the oath while America the Beautiful played in the background.
Oath of Allegiance
“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”
I cried through most of the ceremony. Mostly because I was so happy for our friend and all the others who worked so hard to earn this honor.
And then, the tears flowed for another reason.
Hearing all the words being spoken about this great country I live in and wondered, “Am I thankful enough for what I have as an American?” I fly our nations flag in my front yard, I sing the National Anthem to the best of my ability and vote at elections. That’s enough…right?
I then thought about those 89 people and how they lived and what they endured in their birth country before coming to America and earning their right to take that oath. I then realized that I live in the greatest country in the world and thank God everyday that I do. My tears became happy tears and my heart was so full that day!
One of the first things our friend did after the ceremony was fill out her Voter Registration form. The first question is – Are you a US Citizen? Her face just beamed with happiness and pride. Again, my heart was so full!
Hubby and I only wish the best for our friend and what she has planned for in her future. She wants to get her drivers license next!
As Memorial Day approaches, remember all those who gave their lives so that we all can live in this great country of ours freely!!
“Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen.” Romans 13:1
Enjoy,
Tammy
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I’m just a country girl loving my geeky life with my wonderful husband, always taking pictures, getting my hands dirty in the garden, being crafty, exploring with travels and enjoying all this on a budget. But above all, living my faith as a child of God!
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Thank you for everything you both did. Will never be forgotten 🙂
We have enjoyed every minute Nevra and can’t wait to see what you accomplish in your life!!
What a beautiful post, and what a great friend you are for supporting her through this process and easily one of the greatest moments of her life! It’s true that we all take simple, birth-given things for granted. Thank you for writing this, I am definitely counting my blessings today!
this is awesome! I think this would be so humbling because you are right we take so many of these things for granted, and we don’t even realize it! some people have way less, so we need to be appreciative.
Awesome post. I almost cried imagining how great you are as a friend. More blessings to you and congratulations to your friend.
This is such a great and inspirational story thank you for sharing
This is indeed a wonderful story and Kudos to you both for supporting your friend. We all sometimes forget what we have and take advantage. It is stories like this that remind us how lucky we really are to live here. Thanks for sharing the story and Good Luck to your friend.
You are so right, many of us take so much of what we have for granted. I know I do and I need to stop and think.
What a beautiful post. You are such a great friend and you’re right, so many of us do take our every day lives for granted. It really gave me pause to think and self-reflect. Thanks for sharing this!
As much as I love being a Canadian I have to admit I have thought about moving to the states over the years! I love that you are reflecting on what you are thankful for…what a great thing to do everyday!
Great post! You are such a great friend and very supportive. Thanks for sharing the story
You and your husband have hearts of gold. It is so nice to read stories like this. I wish only the best for your friend and may you and your husband be blessed for all the good that you do.
I was there. Not with y’all there, but I’ve been through that process.
I realized through the study that I knew more about Ameria than many born Americans.
I remember getting my licenses.
Best of all is the freedom to vote and not feel that I’m going to be shot, like it is in my country…other country.
I’m so happy for your friend and hope they go forward in much growth!
Congrats to you Colette. I didn’t know my friend from the beginning when she came to the US, but she told me the struggles of getting to that day. I’m sure like you, she said it was all worth it in the end. And I agree, you probably do know more about the history of the US than most born US citizens. And the freedom to vote must be so special to you. Thank you for stopping by.
This is a great post, be thankful for sure. I am grateful for all we have due to those who served and continue to serve our country. Happy Memorial Day!
My friend from Finland just went thru this, important step.
I think we often do take for granted our freedom in this country. I do a cry a little when I see people getting their dream of finally becoming citizens of this great nation.
I love this!! It is so easy to not think of what the holidays mean when we get time off so important to be thankful for our veterans.
This is so sweet, Tammy! Thank you for the important reminder of something we far too often forget to be grateful for. I’m so happy for your friend. What an incredible moment for you and your hubby to share with her! I would have definitely been crying too :).
Awwww this post made me tear up. Sometimes we all take for granted what we have and don’t think about those that would love to have the same. I was born a US citizen so it’s not something I really think about but I should.
This gave me goosebumps. I am always conflicted hearing people speak of people from other countries trying to become citizens of our country. I believe not all are bad, and always think of how bad it must be in their own countries to want to be here in America. Good for her and the others for their accomplishments.
Such a wonderful story – you and your husband are such caring people and I can see by her comment that she is very grateful for you two as well!