Obsidian, I’m a naturalized U.S. citizen, and I think that’s a great idea!
Cowgirl Jules, I’m afraid I’m going to veto getting him a frame. While you do get a Certificate of Naturalization when you become a citizen, it is an official document which you may need to provide. Mine also has a rather ugly official photograph of me – I think the requirement is your entire right ear must be showing. I keep mine buried in my file of official documents, along with my birth certificate. To me, framing it and displaying it would be a bit like framing an old driver’s license.
On the other hand, when I was naturalized, at the reception afterwards, each of us who was naturalized was given a set of two flags, the American flag and the Pennsylvania state flag (I was naturalized in Pennsylvania) in a desk top holder. I still have them and I have to admit, I feel a certain pride when I remember how I acquired them. Hmmmm. If someone could take a photo of him when he’s sworn as a U.S. citizen or at the reception afterwards (about 30 of us were sworn in en masse when I was naturalized), that could make a really neat gift, but that’s not something you could give him at the time. A framed copy of the Declaration of Independence, or a book with documents like the Constitution and subsequent amendments could be nice. Maybe a book on American history, possibly with something about the role immigration played in it? That or something tastefully patriotic.
Folks, I understand the temptation to joke about this, and I’ll be as quick to bitch, moan, and joke about the things about this country I don’t like, but this time, on this day, I don’t think a gag gift would be a good idea. I was 2 1/2 when my family moved to America; it’s really the only home I’ve ever known. Nevertheless, the decision to deliberately renounce all alegiance to my former country (England) was a big one and, corny though it sounds, the day I became an American citizen was the proudest day of my life. Yes, I was thinking that through as I wrote this. It’s a unique, very special feeling. It was nearly 20 years ago, but I still remember it. A gag gift, while it wouldn’t exactly have tainted it, would have told me that the person who gave it to me didn’t really understand what this was all about. Before and after the ceremony, yes, by all means joke about it! When I was naturalized, I had to provide 2 character references, and you’d better believe my best friend gave me grief about being one! Becoming a citizen, however, takes several months of sometimes nerve-wracking bureacratic hassle. It is the most important thing I’ve ever done in my life, although if I ever become a mother, that might top that. As I remember that day, I still bask a little in its glory.
Then I grumble a little. You see, I was naturalized in October, too late to vote in the #@@!*# election! :mad: And there was a candidate for governor I didn’t like! :mad: :mad:
Obsidian, please give your friend my congratulations and accept my thanks.
CJ
American by choice!
(OK, I had to do that. I now return you to your regularly scheduled cynicism.)