We the People...

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

Powerful words. Passionate words. Resonant words.

These are the words spoken by the newest official citizens of the United States. It's their pledge of allegiance, in a modified sort of way.

And these words were spoken by a friend of mine just this morning, in a ceremony held on a cold and blustery day in New York.

I couldn't be more proud or excited if I tried.

~While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer...~

My friend, like countless others born elsewhere, has chosen to be part of the fabric of our country. To assume the rights and responsibilities that come with being a US citizen. To be an American.

She has consciously elected to become a citizen. She has worked towards becoming something that many of us take for granted. 

This citizenship something. 

~God bless America... land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with a light from above~

My friend has become a citizen on the cusp of change in America. Big change. In action, demeanor, perspective.

Exciting? Without question.

Hopeful? Even more so.

Yeah, I went there. Cliche and all. 

~From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam...~

Lots of hubbub afoot in the country right now --  coverage of the Inauguration is everywhere, with no detail too small, no fact too insignificant to share. This media-national fervor, juxtaposed against my friend and her Big Event, has given me pause and made me think. About what it means to be an American. Right now. This moment. In this place.

It's exceptional. It's passionate. It's provocative. Exhilarating. 

But most of all, it's spirited -- either proudly or contentiously, depending on your subjective proclivities. 

It's quite simply, quintessentially American-esque.

Hooray. Hallelujah. Amen.

~God bless America, my home sweet home...

God bless American, my home sweet home.~