So far, I have really enjoyed watching the 2010 Olympics. But, I have to be honest with you, I'm really torn this year deciding what country to cheer for. As most of you know I was born in Canada, moved to Utah when I was 15 years old and became a United States Citizen when I was 27.I've always felt so blessed and proud that I have lived in the two greatest countries in the World. Canada and America are so similar, both beautiful, Free and have amazing people. Besides the few funny words Canadians say, can you honestly tell by looking at a person whether they are Canadian or American? No.
I remember watching the first Olympics living in the US and I cheered for Canada. Then gradually each Olympics I started cheering for America, by 2002 it became natural to cheer for the US. America was now my home.
But, this Olympics has been different, it has made me feel Canadian again. It's been amazing to see Vancouver where we used to vacation and hear and see the Canadian people and be reminded of how great and beautiful Canada is. It honestly has made me a bit home sick for my Country and all of my family. Canadians have such a sincere pride in their country and it's been wonderful to watch.These past few days, I have found myself cheering for the Canadians, this is their Olympics and I want them to win. I even got a little upset when an American beat out a Canadian by 100th of a second to win the gold. When I realized I was upset, I felt guilty, I shouldn't be upset that an American won right? I felt like I was cheating on my country. But that's where my confusion sets in, what country am I cheating on?
When the Canadian mogul skier, Alexander Bilodeau, won the first gold medal ever on Canadian soil and I heard my national anthem, it touched me so much. The Canadian anthem is so beautiful. My favorite line in the song is "God keep our land glorious and free". I say my national anthem because it still feels like my anthem.
When I hear the American anthem, it also feels like my anthem. I have a piece of paper that says I'm American and I'm proud of this. It was an amazing experience when I took the pledge to become American. In all honesty I do feel American. But, I do wonder at times, does a piece of paper really make me a real American? And no matter what the paper says, deep down inside of me, won't I always be Canadian?
So, I'm back to my question, Who am I? Am I Canadian or American? Scott says I'm both. Can you honestly be both? If I am both, how does that help me decide what country to cheer for?
I honestly don't know, but I will say this.... I feel extremely blessed to live in America and raise my children in America which is the greatest country in the World. And, I feel extremely blessed to have been born and raised in Canada, the other greatest country in the world.
On second thought, maybe I'll start cheering for Switzerland, aren't they neutral? LOL!!
Wow. Sarah, that was VERY well written! And I know exactly what you mean! It's been SO fun to see SO MUCH of Canada in these Olympics. It does make me proud to be from Canada. You know me, I'm true RED Canadian! But good luck figuring it out! The funny part, is that Logan thinks he's HALF Canadian! Funny! Is that possible? What does Jake think? :)
ReplyDeleteAfter the men's short program in ice skating with one of the Americans dressed in a pink striped outfit and looking rather feminine, I was thinking of switching to Canada or any other country for that matter. Didn't really want to cheer him on. I wanted Patrick Chan to win. Luckily America redeemed itself with the last two americans that didn't really look that feminine.
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