The joy of being an American

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Selva Patricia Ferrero, fifth from left, prepares to recite the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America in Rome on Thursday. Natalie Fultz/Times-Enterprise

March 16, 2013

The joy of being an American

Natalie Fultz CNHI The Times Enterprise Sat Mar 16, 2013, 04:19 PM EDT

ROME — Sporting white pants, a blue top and a red scarf she bought specifically for the special occasion, Selva Patricia Ferrero, perched in seat No. 23, stood out from the rest of the crowd.

Joy poured from the striking 52-year-old beauty’s heart. The emotion was evident from the teardrops that lingered on her cheeks.

It wasn’t a promotion or a lottery win that sparked Ferrero’s excitement. It was something that, unfortunately, too many people take for granted. She was one of 50 immigrants who became a United States citizen at the Federal Courthouse here on Thursday.

A native of Argentina, Ferrero has overcome a great deal in her life. Still, she never let the waves of trouble wash away her belief that life is beautiful. She is a faithful friend, confidant and advisor whether life’s tide is high or low.

Ferrero has a soul and heart like no one else. That’s why it was emotional for me, too, as I watched the citizenship ceremony.

My eyes got misty as I watched her and the other 49 new Americans — some young, some old and some from humble beginnings — place their hands on their hearts and sing the National Anthem. They didn’t let the high price of gas, the unemployment rate or the national debt sour their day. They opted to keep their eyes on the prize of citizenship in the world’s greatest nation, a beacon of hope hat has attracted millions to her shores for more than 230 years.

Forty-four years after her parents emigrated from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ferrero basked in freedom’s light as an American, accomplishing one of the items on her bucket list.

I am so glad I got to experience this event. It was a reminder of all the great things about America that everyone should appreciate.

We often hear about parents being proud of their children for things like scoring a game-winning goal or making an A on a test. On this day, the roles were reversed.

Selva Patricia Ferrero is much more than a new American. She is my mother — and I have never been more proud of her.

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