New Citizen (5/28/2008)

Fran and I went with our friend Ildiko and her family to Philadelphia as she received her US Citizenship. (She is from Hungary) What a wonderful opportunity we were given to witness this occasion. I doubt very many of us get the chance to see individuals as they become citizens of our great country. While Ildiko and her husband, Jules, have been in the country many years, it was still a little emotional to see the process of becoming an official citizen.

As an American, I know I take for granted the privileges and freedoms that come from being automatically born a citizen. It gave me new perspective to watch the joy in the face of people who worked very hard to achieve something I rarely think about having. There were people there from 38 countries who put in the long hours, endless appointments, paperwork, travel and exams, ( I am sure I could never pass) all it takes to get to that point. It really meant something to see the pride those people had to be now called Americans!

Ildiko with her certificate.

Fran, Me, Ildiko, Bence and Jules

Seeing that was a once in a lifetime opportunity Fran and I are so glad we took.

Congratulations to Ildiko!!