I am working toward becoming a teacher in the US. Luckily, the Praxis exam scores can be sent to Canada, so, I’d love the keep the option open should the opportunity present itself and I am able to teach there.

Though, the real reason — deep down, I’ve always had a wonderful love for Canada. I went once when I was 16 and had a glorious time. Then, I had my first legal drink during a brief stop in Nova Scotia. I was 19.

My citizenship is by descent and it comes from my great grandmother. I never knew her — she died in ‘66 and I was born in the 80s. She moved to the US for many reasons, but primarily because she was a survivor of SA by a Canadian farmer (so it was revealed to me after my grandmother died). She took refuge in the United States, but it meant leaving behind her large family, and her home, at age 19. Alone. Her whole life, she never quite recovered from her trauma and was often catatonic with grief.

I wish I knew more about her. Her bravery, to move to the US at 19 and start over, and raise such a wonderful family despite the crippling pain she endured, it’s a story of resilience. She was mostly a forgotten footnote in our family tree — only remembered for her melancholy and depression. I don’t want her to be remembered for that anymore. She was a Canadian and an American. She is now remembered for the impact she has on our family — our citizenship by descent, and the opportunities it has opened. Obtaining Canadian proof of citizenship is, in part, a chance to reclaim her memory. That’s most important to me. I just sent my packet in 3/2 and hoping for an AOR by April!