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My beautiful VJ:
Last night, we let you stay up past your usual bedtime because last night was a most unusual night.
Last night, I began to believe in our country again. Yesterday, VJ, your father cast his first vote as an American citizen. He could have applied for citizenship years earlier but had no interest, even though he loves you and me more than words can express.
He claims to have decided to become a citizen to make it easier for him to make his frequent trips on business abroad easier, and of course they do.
But do you remember our trip to Germany this summer, when the German travel agent said "I don't like you Americans; I don't like your George Bush"? Again, he barely betrayed his emotions, but your dad was hurt and offended along with me. He discussed it with me: "I don't care where someone is from, you shouldn't insult their country." True, but I understood why she despised us; I wasn't too proud and entertained the notion of telling people we were Canadian. As you are aware, we don't "like our George Bush" either--but we do love our country.
I'm rather proud of myself for my standard response, however: "I'm proud to be American, but I'm ashamed of my government right now." It opened up some marvelous conversation about how we were dealing with our disgust, confusion, and shame in our corrupt and bloodthirsty administration.
Five months later, your father walked away from the voting booth with a barely noticeable smile; he's not emotional as we well know. But that smile was directed at you, our son, and your excitement at something you sensed was important if you couldn't quite comprehend. Dad felt a part of it; part of bringing this country back to the land he read about and his father told him about.
The struggle is just beginning, but I believe that you will grow up proud of your United States citizenship. I still believe that this is the greatest nation on earth, because her people will not tolerate despots, warmongers, cheats, and the corrupt.
Your father IS proud to be an American; you saw it in his little speech given as he was sworn-in (remember no one else would speak until he did, then the rich emotions came flooding out--talk about stirring!). I saw it in his embarrassment at the travel agent's comments; his first thought was to soften the blow to me--but it didn't really work. I was hurt and offended, as anyone should be. I still loved and believed in my country and my love for my host nation diminished just a bit that day.
Had she said that to me today, she would get a polite, but firm reproach. I'm proud of Americans and my country today and no one better get in my way about it!
I hope your American pride will taste as sweet as mine does today.
Thank you, too, to the Dems who tried, yet lost.
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