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Two weeks ago our family commemorated our 50th anniversary of coming to America. To celebrate this important milestone, about two-thirds of the family gathered at my home and we listened to/recorded Granpa and Granma as they shared their story with us. Although the younger children don't yet understand, I don't think that there is an adult in the family who doesn't realize that each and every member of our families lives have been affected because of our parents/grandparents decision to come here. I am so grateful for my parents faith and obedience.
We had been in the country just less than seven years when my parents became United States citizens. This was another wonderful thing that they did for me and my two brothers. We became citizens automatically as our parents received their citizenship. I can remember going to the courthouse in Ogden and watching this solemn ceremony take place. Again, I am grateful to my parents.
Today is an important day for our country. As citizens we have the responsibility and the privilege of voting for a President. I voted last week, and as I returned to my car after casting my ballot I was overcome with emotion as I contemplated what I had just taken the opportunity to do. I hope that I never take that for granted. I will never forget the election of 1980. We had a young family then and were living in a rural community. Mike and I drove several miles to a different town where we were to vote; it was late in the evening and the line was long, by the time I actually voted I knew that Ronald Reagan had already won the election, but I was so proud and excited to cast my vote for him. I also remember the election of 1968 when I was in the 5th grade. Our teacher held an election in our class. I remember proudly voting for Richard M. Nixon. He won in a landslide in Mr. Christensen's class that year... as he did in the real election.
As citizens we have the right to vote for the person of our choice. Some people are very private about their choice while others seem to be campaigning for theirs. I feel that I have paid close attention to the issues during this election, and I felt prepared to cast my vote. After voting last week I proudly wore my 'I Voted' sticker all day. I was surprised when a customer at the deli asked me who I voted for. There were a few people in the vicinity whose attention immediately turned to me and to see what my reaction was. I can proudly say that I spoke without hesitation, and with kindness, as I answered... "hopefully the winner."
This picture was taken shortly before my Dad left Ireland for America in June of 1962, it is the classic of classics. Timothy would celebrate his 1st birthday and I would celebrate my 4th (both without Dad) shortly after this picture was taken, Archie was 2 1/2. We wouldn't be together again as a family for 4 long months.
While in America, Dad worked hard to earn the money to bring the rest of us here. Mom worked hard in Ireland taking care of three children, selling and giving away her belongings (she came with only a couple of suitcases), and making arrangements to come to America. In October Mom traveled alone with three young children, not only by plane to New York, but across the country by train; the California Zephyr. The next time you see the replica of the California Zephyr in California Adventure... think of my Mom traveling across the country with her three small children; all alone. In 1962 there was no e-mail or cell phones for texting, and long distance was very expensive (no phone company packages with free long distance back then). Mom and Dads only communication was through the postal service, they had lots of details to work out and it all had to be done through "snail mail". The first time they heard each others voices during that four month period, was a few days before Mom and the children arrived in Salt Lake.
I hope my Dad doesn't mind me sharing a line from his personal history that I always apply to this particular picture... a taxi came to take me to the airport. The pain of leaving my little family cut deep into my heart. I hugged them and kissed them, got into the taxi and as I looked back I saw my Trixie with Timothy in her arms and my little Lesley and Archie and I can never describe the heaviness of my heart at this time. All of a sudden their faces vanished as we turned the corner and now it was just me and the taxi driver.
Several years ago I had copies of this picture made for me, Archie and Tim. Although we are too young to remember all of the details that our parents have shared with us over the years, I hope we, nor our posterity's (or our siblings and their posterity's), will ever forget the circumstances under which we were brought here, nor the sacrifices made on our behalves so that we could grow up in America.
Love you mom and Dad... you are the best!!
