The photo to the far left shows an American flag pin that had belonged to Paul's Grandma Sauerburger. Paul's grandmothers were very fond of Jomania, and they were there in spirit as their beloved grandson's wife became an American citizen. Dona wore Grandma Bayard's shirt, and Jomania was presented with Grandma Sauerburger's pin -- she wore it with pride on her lapel.
The near photo to the left shows Jomania and Paul looking at Grandma's pin as they wait to go upstairs for the ceremony.
Jomania swears an oath of allegiance to her new country, and then receives her certificate of citizenship.
[left] After the ceremony, Jomania, Paul and Dona pose with the flags in front of the room.
[below] Afterwards, Jomania sits by the fountain in front of the Federal Building in Baltimore where she became an American citizen. Welcome, Jomania!
Celebrating Jomania's American Citizenship
November 6, 2012
November 6, 2012
On Election Day exactly two weeks after she became a citizen, Jomania's sisters Nagwa and Freda and her friend Marian and their husbands and sons joined Fred, Dona and Paul to celebrate. We had flower bouquets with flags and a gluten-free cake with an American flag saying "Congratulations, Jomania!"
[left to right] Dona, Paul, Jomania and Fred; Jomania cuts her cake, and holds the Arabic note that Paul's brother Stephan sent to congratulate and welcome her.
Fred took these photos showing everyone seated at the table except for Mariam's husband Nabyl (who came later) and their baby Adam, who is sitting at the near end of the table.
In the near photo, seated on the left side of the table (left to right) are Jomania's friend Mariam, sister Nagwa with her son TC, Freda's son Troy and Nagwa's other son Joey. Jomania's sister Freda is at the end of the table, next to her husband Jeff.
On the right side of the table (far to near) are Dona, Paul, Jomania, and Nagwa's husband George.
Messages sent to Jomania for her celebration:
- From Michael and Keith
- Congratulations for the US citizenship. You are so loved that you have people buy you dinner and cake for this. I didn't get one (but today is about you, not me, so forget what I just said!).
Love,
Michael and Keith
From Cousin Bruce and Ann -
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Jomania, have a wonderful time tonight, and please know that we send our congratulations and best wishes for citizenship in your newly adopted country.
From Cousin Karen and Don Campbell -
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Jomania,
We are honored that you have chosen to become a citizen of the United States of America.
Love,
Karen and Don Campbell
From brother-in-law Stephan -
Stephan's message says in Arabic, "Congratulations, and welcome!"
From Cousin Eilene -
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Dear Jomania,
I was absolutely delighted to hear about your recent accomplishment of becoming a citizen of the United States. Your effort and hard work reminded me that, despite all the bad things that people complain about constantly, this country is still a good place to be. If truly remarkable people like you want to join us, we can't be all bad. Congratulations, and welcome, welcome, welcome!
Your cousin,
Eilene Stephens
From Cousin Bonnie -
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WELCOME Jomania! May we, as a country and individuals, welcome and support you to live to your fullest. And may you feel free to fulfill your dreams here. I just heard a quote that might fit this situation:
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"We've all been given a gift, the gift of life. What we do with our lives is our gift back."
Edo
Blessings and love,
Cousin Bonnie
From Uncle Tom [Tom was Korean -- when he was about 5 years old, he and his brother and sister were adopted and became citizens]-
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Jomania, congratulations -- I know the feelings you must be having!!! When I went thru this ceremony, I did not realize what it really means! I learned over the years -- hope it means as much to you as it has meant to me!!!! My mom and dad did the greatest thing ever for myself and my brother and sister...
From brother-in-law Mark, Jill and Thea -
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Dear Jomania,
We wish we could be there in person to celebrate with you! Congratulations!!!
We are so happy for you and your official citizenship here in the United States, and we are even more happy that you are family.
Have an extra piece of cake and drink for us!
We are looking forward to seeing you and Paul at Thankmas!
Our best wishes and love,
Jill, Mark and Thea
From Uncle David -
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As I go down to the church annex where I will get to cast a vote for the leaders of my community and country, and look forward to standing in line to do so, I'm glad it's so busy. It means people are interested. I'll be thinking of you as I do, knowing you can now participate too in this great system.
Oh, it's not perfect, no way, and if you've seen the YouTube video of a poor young girl in tears, pleading with her mother, "Mommy, please, please everybody stop talking about Bronco Bama and Mitt Romney!!" Sometimes it's messy, but as some statesman somewhere once said, "Democracy is the absolute worst system of government in the world...except for all the other systems!"
So glad you passed your citizenship! You're already family, now you're a country(wo)man too!
From Fred and Dona -
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Dearest Jomania, we are so very happy you are part of our family, and so very proud that you have overcome all the challenges to become part of our country.
We love you very much --
Mom and Dad