Today I am starting my Blog.

I am in the final process of becoming an American Citizen. I have the last immigration application on my desk. My name is on it. I have contemplated this decision for some time now, and have asked myself why would I want to do this?

I grew up 100 km North from the United States of Americas border. Yes I am Canadian. This is where I started "Becoming Marnie". I love my country. As Canadian children we studied and were taught of Columbus and the early years that followed as this continent was established and developed. You see, our early history and the United States history is shared. Both countries have always been present in my mind. But as time has passed in my life I have struggled to keep the facts and history present in my mind and heart. It is true that when you stop using and diligently investing in continual education, the information you once had tends to slip somewhere deep in your brain until one day you need to recall something and alas, it is gone or appears to be gone. I can't extrapolate the knowledge I know I once had. So now I find my self as a infant sponge. I am reading and studying and reintroducing information into my mind. I am trying to absorb anything I can so, I can have the proper discernment to sort through the information that I need to make correct choices in my life. This brings me to today.

I have now almost lived longer in America than I have Canada. I am married to a wonderful, hardworking, self reliant and spiritual man who is an American. My two sons have been born on the soil of the United States of America. My life, is here. Does that take away from the love of a country that has protected me and sheltered me and helped educated me? My answer is no.

I live in the United States and I hold deep in my heart and respect the Constitution that binds this nation together and protects the rights of it's citizens. I believe this country and many of it's citizens, for some reason or another have forgotten the purpose of America and the succor this great nation offers them. Therefore, I have begun to awake and increase my knowledge of this country and where it is heading. The United States of America must be protected and I am willing to do that. I find that I have no other choice but to be a voice and take a stand for this nation. It is my duty to stand as protector for the sake of my posterity and family. This may be the last place where Freedom rings and I will not let that bell be silent on my watch. The full force of my voice can not be heard unless I am able to vote. I must be a citizen to do this.

In the next few months and years, I will use this platform to share what I have learned and why it strengthens my love of this nation. I do not know how long it will take until I will stand at my own public oath ceremony. I know that day will come and I will say a loving tearful farewell to my homeland and claim a new home where I will finish "Becoming Marnie".