Citizenship Ceremony

Today I was lucky enough to be invited to the United States citizenship ceremony of my next door neighbor/friend.  I think that I take for granted how lucky I was to be born in this country and I was completely humbled by the forty-four people from thirteen countries denouncing their citizenship from their home countries.  Some of these countries included: Ukraine, South Korea, Vietnam, Cuba, Mexico, Nigeria, and the Philippines. 
I got a little teary eyed at a few different points:
1.) listening to a room full of people sing The Star Spangled Banner in so many different accents
2.) being led in The Pledge of Allegiance by elementary school students
3.) knowing that some of these people worked for years for something I was given at birth
Sometimes I get a little cynical about the country I live in and this adventure today was exactly what I needed to remind me not to take certain things for granted.
I can vote.
I can speak my mind.
I can...I just can.
If you ever get the chance to attend one of these ceremonies, do it, and remember how blessed you really are if you are a United States citizen.  I forget sometimes for sure and I was glad for the reminder.  It's not perfect, but it is good.