Proud to be an American!

I have failed miserably with writing regularly this month, but I have been reading and watching a lot that I want to share. I thought I would have time to write during my last trip to D.C., but my flights ran so smoothly that I got off one flight and then directly on the next. In June, I wrote about my last trip to D.C. when I visited Clara, the mom of the host family that I stayed with when I taught in Ghana. Well this time, her two daughters, Eduwa and Fritsewa were there visiting her, and I HAD TO take the opportunity to visit them. I was even lucky enough that my sister could come.
We had an amazing time. I had no idea when I signed up to teach in Africa that I was expanding my family. These people open their homes to me and took care of me when I needed it the most—I consider these people to be members of my family. I cannot describe the feelings flowing through my mind and body as I reunited with them, but I know I am a very lucky person.
The girls were 4 and 6 years old when I lived with them, and now they are 10 and 12. They look and act exactly how I would have imagined. It is interesting to me that there is so much about human’s personalities and temperament that never seems to change.
I asked the girls what they want to be when they grow up—Eduwa wants to be a pharmacist and Frits wants to be a scientist. Hopefully, they will have the opportunity to study their respective sciences in America. The only reason Clara is living and working here is the possibility of giving their daughters an American education with the opportunities available to many of us. It’s not easy, and I know she has her doubts…but she puts all her faith in a higher power that everything will work out. The dad of the family hasn’t been able to get a visa, and it breaks my heart that the family hasn’t been one physical unit since Clara moved to America.
On the way to D.C., my sister and I got to see soldiers in the airport reuniting with their families for the holidays. I probably looked crazy getting teary-eyed in line for security while I watched men and women dressed in their military attire hugging their family members that never wanted to let go. One young daughter that looked like she was 4 years old didn’t let go of her daughter the entire time—she was either hugging him or her arm was around him.
This trip of mine reminded me how lucky I am to live in a country that people want to immigrate to and a country whose citizens volunteer to defend what our country stands for. I am grateful for my ancestors who sacrificed a life that they knew to come to a strange, new country for the possibility of a better life with more opportunities. I am thankful for the soldiers that sacrifice time with their loved ones to defend the country they believe in. While this country isn’t perfect, it attracts strong, resilient people that are willing to sacrifice their comfort for a better future for their children and children’s children. We are lucky that we get to call this place home.

During the last days of 2010, I will concentrate on the positive stories that both inspire and energize me. These stories remind me that anything is possible when we least expect it.
I hope everyone has a happy holiday and gets to end the year surrounded by the people they love!