From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf Stream waters

My Great Grandmother, Lydia

I'm 100% American and also a quarter Swiss-German. My great-grandmother's family immigrated from Switzerland many decades before I was born (that's a picture of Lydia up there). That side of the family would host lovely reunions in my grandmother’s hometown, New Glarus, Wisconsin.

On the several occasions I’ve found myself in Switzerland, I often try to build rapport with the locals based on shared ancestry. I've had this conversation many times. It goes a little like this:

"I'm part Swiss! Yeah, my family is from Glarus," which I pronounce with the nasal American A and the strong sizzling s. Gl-Air-Is. 

"Glarus? Never heard of it!"

"Um...it’s a canton in Switzerland.” 

Blank stare. I clear my throat and give it another go.

"Glau-R-Us” 

"Oh!
Yes.
Glaur-Us. Very poor Canton. Farming community. "

Well, obviously.

If my ancestors were bankers in Zurich, would they have packed up their meager belongings and moved to rural Wisconsin? 

There is something American about not accepting things as they are. and believing that tomorrow will be better than today. Freedom of thought. New opportunity. No one can hold you back from your journey toward self-improvement and proving yourself to the world. 

I love that about America—about being American. There is enough for everyone. The pie is growing. The more I've lived and traveled around the world (and I've lived and worked in Asia, Africa, and Europe), the more I appreciate the mindset and attitude. It's unique and special. It's something worth fighting for and protecting. 

As we think about immigration, we should welcome those who share our values and bring their talents.

There is certainly abuse in the current system. And, we should still have pressure to ensure education and economic opportunity for our population.

I'm proud to be an American. It’s amazing that people can choose to be American. I've benefited tremendously from the incredible talent and ethnic diversity that we have here in the US.

This land was made for you and me. 

From w.50 of Declarative Statements ‘This Land Is Your Land’