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On Becoming a U.S. Citizen

A year ago my Irish friend, Dave, and I decided to finally take the plunge and become U.S. citizens. Both of us had lived in this country for more than 20 years and it was about time to give up the green card. We enrolled in night classes to prepare for the lengthy and complicated process of being a citizen. However, once the classes were finished, neither of us followed through with the application process. Our papers sat gathering dust for a year. I had lots of "good reasons." There was too much paperwork. I didn’t have time to get a passport photo. I needed to put aside the application fee of $310. I’d have to track down copies of my divorce decrees. The list went on and on ... I just didn’t want to do it and I couldn’t force myself to find the energy to overcome the difficulties of making progress.

I felt paralyzed. How could I get "un-paralyzed"? I remembered the lessons in the hospital and rehab when I overcame physical paralysis. First, I had to get real and accept my situation, without giving into it. Even though I didn’t like the label of resident alien, I wasn’t ready to let go of the fact that I may not return to my native country, New Zealand.

Then, I had to decide where I wanted to be. I wanted to be a "legal beagle," not an "alien." That was important to me, not my husband, not my friends, but to me. In the same way, I had to decide in the hospital if I really wanted to move and speak. In both cases, I needed to focus on reasons that were important to me, not to someone else. Once I focused on what I wanted, I felt energized in proceeding.

Actually taking action was the next step. My excuses were still there. Becoming a citizen was going to require effort. Could I really do this? What if I applied the lessons I learned in overcoming physical paralysis? My plan was to get the job done one step at a time.

I made my 2004 New Year resolution to complete the application process. The first step to move forward required the same focus that got me through those tough, lonely days during rehabilitation. The lessons learned in my dramatic journey through physical paralysis did apply to this less dramatic but important life situation. Was my new situation difficult? Complicated? Frustrating? You bet! Anything to do with immigration is nerve-wracking. However, I was no longer paralyzed with indecision.

I did not look at how overwhelming the process was. I focused on what I could do, not on what I couldn’t do. I studied for the oral part of the 100 question test by making it fun. I had my 10- and 12-year-old daughters test me each night while at the dinner table. The girls loved when mom didn’t have the right answer! It was difficult, but fun!

By the way, in case you are wondering how difficult 100 questions can be and how that compares with overcoming the difficulties in your life, let me test your knowledge of U.S. history and government.

The first three e-mails I receive with the correct answers to the following questions will receive a FREE signed copy of Kate’s Journey.

• Who said, “Give me liberty or give me death”?
• What were the 13 original states?
• What is our national anthem?
• What amendment guarantees the freedom of speech?

Reflections from Kate on her Aug. 18, 2004, U.S. citizenship ceremony

The ceremony experience was totally awesome! I was one of 5,700 people being sworn in, at the Pomona fairground's large hall in Los Angeles on a hot, sticky day.

With the 5,700 people and 1,000 guests present and the bang of a gavel, the hall was turned into a courtroom. We pledged the Oath of Allegiance. The words filled the hall as we repeated after the Judge, "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance ..."

A sea of red, white and blue flags waved proudly as we were sworn in as new citizens. Some had trudged long journeys to get to this day, a day of freedom.