Article #297 Value of Citizenship

            Some individuals and families have immigrated to the United States of America, then left only to return later to fulfill their desires for personal freedom, educational opportunities, and to live the American dream. Maureen Selman Gadeski of St. George tells the story of her return journey to US citizenship for her family in Canada: It's been 22 years ago since my husband Bill, our son Gary, and I crossed the border (legally) coming to America. I held a US passport since both my parents were born in the USA before immigrating to Canada with their parents as children. My father’s family was living in Utah and were asked by the LDS church to help settle towns in Alberta, Canada.

 It was the influence of our two children that brought us back to America.  Our daughter applied for her US green card right after graduating from nursing.  She and another nurse answered an ad for nurses at a hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Our son was influenced in coming to the USA by the American LDS missionaries he served with when on his mission in South Africa.  He applied for his green card soon after he got home, along with his dad.  Our daughter had left Texas for Provo, Utah and was working at the hospital there.  It was during this time she met the young man she would marry.  It was the thought of our children leaving us behind in Canada without them that brought us to the United States.

It was very hard to leave extended family, friends and neighbors behind in Canada.  Many who leave home, family and country never have the opportunity to return, but we continue to travel north at least once a year to visit family and friends.  They in turn have traveled down to visit us, something we really enjoy.  We had lived in our home in Calgary, Alberta for seventeen years. Looking back, we have no regrets in coming to America.  We had the opportunity of buying and selling homes, owning and managing rental property, and seeing our children prosper despite the downturn in the economy. Both our children lost homes, but not their jobs. Their families are still intact and things are improving. What a blessing!  We have eight grandchildren, all born in the USA.  Our family feels privileged and so blessed to be living in this country. NEXT TIME: Find Your Roots.