The Burrow

My friend, Josepha, gave this speech at her Naturalization Ceremony.   Mom is Lady Jane; Aunt Suzi is me. We are family. ***** Congratulations to everyone!! I thank God for everything He did for all of us here, for my family. I thank the people of the United States who welcomed my family into safety,  hope and freedom of America. Especially I thank my Mom!! Mom – thank you for - Your empathy Your love Your patience with me Your support in different ways May God bless you. I love you. Thank you, Aunt Suzi for all your support in rebuilding my family’s lives. Thank you, Amy, for accepting my friendship. I thank you all staff at International Rescue Committee who welcomed my family at airport.  When I came here, I knew nobody. They helped my family to start a new life in a new country. I am very happy today. I lost - My country My family My friends Today I have - A country I have a family I have fri...

If I had a Bucket List, attending a Naturalization Ceremony would be on it.  On Friday, I got my wish.  Lady Jane and I sat on a bench right in front, escorted there by a lovely court officer whose chief objective seemed to be making sure that everyone was comfortable.  She took that responsibility very seriously.  There was no fussing, except for a few little ones making their presence known.  There was only excitement and smiles and lots of love from the changing faces of America. They came from Congo, Bhutan, Nigeria, Denmark, Rwanda, China, South Korea, Mexico, Iraq, Burundi, Columbia, Germany, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Togo, and Vietnam.  52 applicants who met the requirements of  good moral character, residency, and attachment to the Constitution of  the United States , who passed background checks and a written test, who studied and waited and finally found themselves in the Federal Courthouse, surrounded by friends and famil...

This morning, I thanked Little Cuter for sharing her family with us last night  and before I could finish she sighed and said she understood, that she walked into her house and took a deep cleansing breath,, leaving Recent Events outside. It was easier for me to do that when FlapJilly and SIR and my daughter were there to distract me. ***** Valerie Plame Wilson , one of my heroes,  posted this on Facebook, citing @CelesteHeadlee : Want to make sure you all saw this photo. It's the line of people in Durham waiting to turn themselves in for toppling the Confed statue. Only 9 of them were answering warrants, the rest were channeling Bible stories... you know... I am Spartacus! ... I am Spartacus!.... I am Spartacus. ***** Neither Robert E. Lee then nor Robert E. Lee V now, neither the great-great-something grandsons of Stonewall Jackson nor the direct descendants of Jefferson Davis think the statues of their relatives should remain standing in public spaces. ...

Dr. Seuss and I were in Ms Bronson's room after recess today, talking about personal responsibility.  With appropriately Seuss-ian bombast, I channeled the Once-ler and the Lorax as a cornucopia of kindergarteners sat, rapt, at my feet. It's a long story and it's hard to sit still but Grandma Suzi has a certain stare, learned from her own mother, that can quiet even the most rambunctious squirmer. My eyes focus, the silence grows longer, the other students turn to glare as well, and before you know it we're all back, once again sitting criss-cross-applesauce with our butts on the green carpet, watching the deforestation of the Truffula Trees. "I am the Lorax!  I speak for the trees!" It was a powerful message, delivered with typical Grandma style.  Every you  in the story was directed to a particular listener, with a grin and a pointed arm and finger and a raised eyebrow or two.  They giggled, they cowered, they grimaced.  We were all there with ...