Comments on: Lovely Lady Liberty

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:28:37 +0000

Yes, the poem is so inaccurate–especially as sick immigrants were turned away and had to return to their homes.

I just moved to New York. My family and I went to see the Statue of Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry. I was surprised by how many people were totally oblivious to perhaps one of the most powerful symbols of our country. I don’t know if any of my ancestors actually ever were greeted by the Statue of Liberty, but I love what it symoblizes. I love the spirit of the immigrants.

Something that also moved me is that while living in Sweden I had so many people tell me about family members that immigrated to the U.S. They still remember those people–even when they left over a hundred years ago. So the impact works both ways.

By: Arianne

Arianne — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:00:53 +0000

What a beautiful post! I literally have tears in my eyes. Because I think of those wonderful people who came before and what they must have thought their future would be, most of them not speaking English, many of them with little education, all of them strangers in a new land. I know I get my Wanderlust from them. And I’m grateful for it. I feel that I am where I was meant to be, in this wonderful country with the Gospel and so many freedoms. What a great tribute to them.

By: Sage

Sage — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:01:42 +0000

This was a beautiful post. I wish you had written the poem on the Statue of Liberty as you would have captured the true American spirit. I am blessed by the courageous ancestors who brought me to this special country. The question is now whether or not I will find the courage I need to fight for the liberties that are at risk now and to stand up for the truths that enticed my great great grandfather to leave Sweden and his family behind to follow the Spirit and the many other ancestors who did the same. Thanks for this great Independence Day post.

By: mindi

mindi — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:49:26 +0000

as usualy, stupendous!! i’ve always said that i was never made of pioneer and/or pilgrim stock….i was meant to come later for a reason. god bless those women who went before!

By: Adri

Adri — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:00:17 +0000

Totally agreed, Jennie. I can’t even imagine the leap of faith it must have been then, and still is now, to come into the unknown and start a new life. Happy 4th!

By: Justine

Justine — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:29:22 +0000

I am a child of immigrants, and I have enormously strong feelings about my parents and the tremendous sacrifices they made to get here and to live the American dream.

This was lovely, thanks!

By: Azúcar

Azúcar — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:09:44 +0000

Wonderful post, Jennie.

I had ancestors on the Mayflower too–so I guess we go way back! As a child of an immigrant, I really identified with your sentiments.