Another Patch For The Quilt…A letter to my mother about her citizenship

My Dad just told me a few weeks ago that my mother had passed her interview/exam for US citizenship. I never really considered my citizenship, as one doesn’t really give a lot of thought to what comes with birth. The distinction of country didn’t really hit me deeply until I started traveling more extensively by myself, without the bubble family vacations with parents provide.  She, who immigrated to the United States as a young woman about to be married, caused me to really look at the meaning of being a true citizen, when after living more than 35 years in the States, she decided to become a citizen.

 

Although she understands English, and lives “American” she is not what I would consider “from America” and that is a quality I’ve come to appreciate about her. When I was younger all those experiences: paper placemats at McDonalds, traveling a certain way (wipes, everything in kits, all menu and activity moments accounted for) set us apart from the more relaxed, last minute approach to getting from point A to point B. When I traveled to see family, the whole country was like that – I understood the impact of culture in more intimate way.  

 

When she mentioned to me that she was preparing for her interview, I truly wished I could have helped her study for the test. It would have given me some insight into what the experience in coming here or the “bar to belong” must look like. To review things like, “What is the first amendment?” or “Who said ‘Give me Liberty or Give me Death?’”.  She would need to learn The Pledge, which I had been reciting since kindergarten. It would have been interesting to see her as the recipient of flash cards, versus the other way around.

 

Does knowing these facts and reciting the pledge really define citizenship?  When I consider my mother, someone who has participated in every community we’ve lived in, instilled a strong desire in her children to give back and volunteer – I don’t think The Pledge quite covers it. She has never broken the law, and along with Dad, has raised two kids on an average income, paid taxes, and hasn’t taken a vacation in years.

 

She passed the exam and was sworn in as an American citizen. There must be so many emotions, so many feelings about her country, what was, experiences of the past. I hope they don’t all wash all away in the desire to become recognized here. It’s another stamp, another patch in her very multi colored quilt.

 

 

She should be so proud of this and her accomplishments as a person. America is so much about forward motion; I hope her past doesn’t get forgotten with all of this. It played such a part in our development growing up. I believe she was a citizen long before the government ever recognized her and like thousands of other unrecognized “citizens” exist working for the American way of life: the  desire to have happy kids in a happy home, making sure everyone is fed, clean, dry and reading a book. I hope she is able to vote in this upcoming election - it’s the best one we’ve had in years!

 

 

 

I wish I could have been there to see her sworn in. But, like her entry here, she was with my father – so I suppose it was a full circle moment for them both.