Denmark is my motherland. My parents, sister, niece, cousins, granddad, aunts and uncles are there. Denmark is where I was born and raised, and where the very foundation for the person I have become was established. I greatly respect her for the wonderful country she is and I am filled with intense gratitude for what she has done for me. I love my motherland and treasure our continued relationship, one that I would like to nurture and grow. Everything you have heard about Denmark is true, it is a very happy place and extremely progressive with one exception.
My motherland is possessive. She does not believe in releasing the reins of her parental controls and interprets a desire for freedom and mental expansion outside her domain as a personal slight. Her love is conditional, defined by physical boundaries and rules from a world past where globalization was not yet in the dictionary. It is easy to forgive and even understand this one flaw as Denmark is after all fabulous. But, it leaves me stuck in limbo because she will not lovingly share me and grant me the only thing I really need from her; Dual citizenship.
The United States is my home. This is where my son was born, where I have my new family and built my career. I have found my tribe here, the San Francisco bay area specifically, and there is no doubt in my heart that I am with my people. I am stimulated daily by the diversity, the thinking, the innovation, the creativity and the opportunities. And what is not to love about our local slogan; "Climate best by government test." I feel blessed and love my home passionately.
The United States has embraced me as a loved foster child and is now gently nudging me to accept an adoption. And I am ready! I want to truly belong where I live, to have a voice and to eliminate any subconscious worry that I could get booted. I want to show my homeland my love by pledging my allegiance, especially because she understands that my love for another nation does not diminish my devotion or feelings for her.
So I was thrilled, jubilant even, with the recent news that the Danish parliament has finally reached an agreement to put forth a legal proposition that will allow dual citizenship. Of course there is no guarantee it will actually go through but I am optimistic. More importantly I am proud of my motherland for her awakening because what better ambassadors can you wish for than those with their hearts filled with love for you?
"A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people."-Mahatma Gandhi