...breathing free...

STL from the top of the Thomas F. Eagleton building

Today I was reminded of the liberties I enjoy, by chance, by birth, as I watched 55 immigrants from 28 nations pledge their allegiance to the United States of America.

I couldn't have asked for a better friend to share this adventure with than Karen. On a whim, I texted her before driving downtown, and she immediately agreed. Thirty minutes later, we were navigating our way around the construction-torn city streets toward the Thomas F. Eagleton building. And in between talks of life, liberty and our own happy pursuits, she sang me Schoolhouse Rock ballads about the preamble (which I'm still singing!) and quizzed me on my Constitutional knowledge. Not only is she wise, well beyond her years, but today I learned she is also somewhat of a History buff!

When we arrived, we awkwardly seated ourselves in the back of a packed, silent courtroom, and waited for proceedings to begin. We rose, the judge spoke, then an attorney, until finally each candidate had the opportunity to share a little personal information about themselves.

The room was beautifully diverse. Different skin tones, hair textures, clothes, and accents filled the expanse, making it clear that Karen and I were in the minority. The candidates were comprised of old and young, men and women, professors and students, CEO's and truck drivers, stay at home moms (and dads) and managers, each with a remarkable story to add to America's rich and varied tapestry.

Their stories began to form in my mind as each new citizen received their certificate and families took pictures together in front of our flag. A father and mother, both from Bosnia-Herzegovina, with one daughter whose citizenship was in Croatia, and another daughter whose citizenship was in Germany. A husband and wife who were granted citizenship along with their physically and mentally disabled daughter. A mother and father whose three children, not one over 10, watched and cheered from their seats in the back of the room as their parents shook the judge's hand.

But today's story, the one of joy and happiness expressed from ear to ear, was most evident.

The judge's final words declared that our freedom is a privilege that comes with responsibility. Every citizen must do their part to be informed on the issues, participate in the voting process, and serve in many capacities - including jury duty. Each generation must bear the cost of freedom.

His words made me suddenly and painfully aware of how often I had taken my inherited freedoms for granted. Memories of shirked responsibilities flooded my mind, as did a desperate desire to do better.

So I've been asking myself, how am I bearing the cost of freedom?

These people have gone to great lengths to rest their feet on the safety of our shores, one of which was to pass a test. Could you pass the Naturalization test? Try it here.