I’ve lived in Canada for 10 years now; Don joined me about 7 years ago. A few years ago, we decided to apply for permanent residency there – similar to a US green card.
As welcoming as Canada is to immigrants, we had a few hiccups along the way, and the process has not been easy. The process is also marked by long waits in between steps. We’ve been anxiously awaiting the final step, when Citizenship & Immigration Canada ask the applicants to submit their passports to have the permanent residency visas attached to then.
On the morning of Mom’s memorial service, I went to church early, and Don followed 45 minutes later. Shortly before he was leaving for church, the phone rang, and it was our Canadian immigration lawyer with good news. He began reading the letter, the first words of which are “Congratulations”. Our application had finally been approved, and Canada has asked us to submit our passports. When Don got to church, he gave me the wonderful news.
What mixed emotions! We were at church, bidding a fond farewell to my beloved mother, a sad occasion even with my faith; on the other hand, we finally successfully completed the long, arduous immigration process.
Mom knew we were anxious. Nearly every Sunday during our weekly telephone conversations she’d ask about it. I think she might have helped move things along. Just maybe.
Thanks, Mom.