11-1-11

I will remember this day for the rest of my life.  Something very special happened to me on this day, something that most of you had happen when you were born and you don't remember it at all.  This is the day I became a U.S. Citizen.  There were 91 other people from 35 countries all bursting with pride and excitement right along side me.

I thought I was just going for yet another interview in the process that started back in 2004 when I got married.  There were roadblocks along the way, an application for permanent residency was denied 3 weeks after my husband passed away and it took 3 months to get someone to believe that yes, I was married but now, legally, I'm not.  With support of friends and family, Yeah sister Christine, who put together my appeals package, I got my PR card in the spring of 2008. 

Tuesday I drove to Seattle thinking it would be my second last trip, but after meeting with the immigration officer, and seeing him stamp my file "approved", I asked him "so what's next?"  He handed me a slip of paper, told me to be back in an hour and attend the ceremony and I'd be done.  It was a whirlwind day.  I wish I'd known, I didn't even bring a camera or a friend to take my picture.  So thanks to Camille, a fellow Canadain who was sitting beside me, I got one photo of the day.

Now to file all the adjustments to all my other documents ........

Sharon