By Rick Farris
This past thursday, December 3rd, Monica was sworn in as an American citizen with more than 900 other immigrants.
The ceremony was held in Montebello, at the Quiet Cannon, in the same room where boxing matches are held on occasion.
This is something my wife has waited for since arriving in this country on December 4, 1995.
Monica left Brazil 1989, full of dreams that could not be realized in her country.
She first went to Portugal, then to France, and then Holland. Learning the language of each country she lived in.
Monica's true love is language, and she has always had a goal to learn to speak as many as she can fluently.
When she arived in America, her ultimate dream, she didn't speak a word of English. Today she speaks it fluently.
When we arrived at the Quiet Cannon, Monica was nervous, she had waited her entire life for this moment.
Watching the ceremony was a great experience for me, as an American. We tend to take things for granted in this country.
This was a reality check for me. Sometimes we don't appreciate just how much we have.
On this day, more than 900 new American citizens didn't need to be reminded of how great America is.
As I watched the ceremony from the guest area, I was deeply touched to see a dozen American military personnel recieve their citezenship.
Young men and women from all over the world, already in the U.S. military, were becoming citizens. This brought a tears to my eyes.
A video was played on a large screen in the front of the auditorium, a message from President Obama, welcoming the new Americans.
Monica had tears in her eyes thruout the ceremony. She had finally achieved her ultimate goal. Monica is now a proud American.
And I am proud of her. She is quite a lady. I guess I just got lucky.
-Rick Farris
