Citizen!

Today i participated in the Naturalization Ceremony, together with more than 70 other aspiring American Citizens.
I am a full fledged American now!
It was amazing to see so many different people together, in line to receive their Certificate of Naturalization; some of them we.re visibly moved (an old Indian lady was crying as her husband was taking her picture with the officer), and many brought the whole family (like me).

In this day of joy i cannot forget a dear high school friend of mine, Alessia, who passed away after a bad car accident, leaving a big void in our class room.

Why the connection?
Alessia was a girl full of life, and she had one big dream: to come to America.
She had brought a map of New York to be hung on the door of our classroom, and she knew Bruce Springsteen's and John Denver's songs by heart: us members of our class band would play them for her, and her smile would broaden in delight.

So i dedicate this day to her: she never got to fulfill her dream, but i hope i will be able to honor her memory here in America, and i will play her songs to my kids.

Mi manchi!