A New Thing...Just Added to my Top 10 Most Memorable/Beautiful Things In My Life

Okay, Okay...I know it's been a while. (Thanks Karina for staying on my tail and being my blog-follower. Love ya!)

It's just like you remember when you were a kid, and you used to say, "I can't wait to grow up and do what I want.". LOL! Sometimes, I would give my eye-teeth...to go back and "WAIT TO GROW UP!" There is not enough time..to do what you want...because all the responsibilities of life get in the way.

Speaking of which...Today, I had the opportunity to be a driver for a Field Trip for my son's 6th Grade Class. The field trip was downtown to the Federal Courthouse to witness the swearing in of New United States Citizens. There were over 41 immigrants being sworn in as citizens. They were from countries all over the World. After the immigrants took their oath, the judge proceeded to welcome the special guest witnesses to the court. He said, "And I would like to welcome our special guests, the 6th Grade Class from Christ the King School". He then asked, "Are there any students in the class who would like to say something to our new United States Citizens?". Well, my 11 year old nephew, Isaiah, was the only one who quickly raised his hand. (Side note: I have been told that he does this frequently, at school, before he is really sure he knows the answer...and sometimes takes a while to think of it.) I was very nervous when the judge said, "You, young man, come up here and say what you would like to say." Well, Isaiah, walked up there, and pulled down the microphone and looked at the new citizens in the jury box and said (I am paraphrasing, as I can't remember it word for word, until I get the transcript.) "I want to welcome you to our country. You know I kinda know how you feel, because I was adopted. My mom did not have any money and could not afford to keep me. So she gave me up to another family who loves me and who I love very much. So it's kind of the same you getting a new country, that cares about you too."



Needless to say, there were not many dry eyes in the courtroom. The judge said, "What a wonderful speech, let's give him a hand." Everyone clapped. When he sat down witnesses of the new citizens were patting Isaiah on the back telling him what a wonderful speech he gave. One man even said, "Young man, it's hard to get a tear out of me, but you did!".

I was shocked and in awe that an 11 year-old child, who I kept having to remind to pay attention, actually stood up in that courtroom and in the most heartfelt and beautiful way welcomed the new citizens, and truly showed them that he understood magnitude and importance of the process in which they just went thru. To be a child and to pull that out to try relate to the new citizens was amazing.


That is why, this will be forever ingrained as one of the Top 10 Beautiful Things I have ever witnessed in my Life.

So today, when I was begrudging the responsibility of having to be a driver on the field trip, (my son didn't want me to drive either...he's a 11 and I am his mother! LOL!) because it took away from the time I dreamt about as a child, "doing what I wanted". It truly made me step back and be thankful for the responsibilities, that I have, and to enjoy the moments as they come. Because had I not gone to this, I could have missed a "once in a lifetime" moment.

It's wonderful to have goals, and to be aiming toward them. And it's great to re-live memories. However, let's not get so caught up in looking toward the future or back at the past, that we forget to enjoy the NOW!

God Bless America and Thank God for Children!