Lady Who Just Became A Canadian Citizen Has Mixed Feelings After Recieving A Call That Her Dad Passed On In Nigeria
A young lady named Oyin Steve has shared her testimony after becoming a Canadian citizen, however it’s a mixed feeling for her after she received a call that her dad passed on.
Oyin became emotional about everything she has missed in Nigeria.
Read her lengthy post as shared on LinkedIn:
A CANADIAN CITIZEN WITH MIXED FEELINGS
Yesterday, I became a Canadian citizen, and it was nothing like I had imagined. For over six months, I had been waiting to get an invitation to take my citizenship oath, and it finally came at the end of 2022.
However, while I was still revelling in the excitement of my soon-to-be citizen status, I received the sad news that my dad was ill and was in the hospital.
A couple of days later, I felt relieved to hear he was improving. I told myself I would visit him this year. It’s been over four years since I last saw him, and I missed him dearly. Imagine my shock and devastation hearing that he passed away on Sunday.
When I left Nigeria 4.9 years ago, I never imagined that I wouldn’t see my dad again. This is one of the unintended sacrifices that come with migrating to a new country – a possibility that most immigrants don’t consider. Would I have given up coming to Canada if a soothsayer had told me I wouldn’t see my dad again? Probably not. But I would have been more intentional about my relationship with him and would probably have made an effort to visit home.
Since leaving Nigeria, I’ve lost my best friend, missed my brother’s wedding ceremony and missed the birth of my niece. As I accepted my citizenship certificate and delivered my speech yesterday about what Canadian citizenship means, a voice in my head whispered, “at what cost?”
To all the immigrants making intentional and unintentional sacrifices to achieve the Canadian dream, I see you, I feel you, and I hear you. I don’t know if all the sacrifices will be worth it in the end, but someone once said, “except where morality or legality is involved, there are no good or bad choices; there are only choices that seem right for you at the time, which may not be right for anyone else. Choose what seems right under the circumstance and hope for an outcome you can live with”.
My only consolation is that my dad would have been happy and proud of me, and when this pain subsides, I may be able to look on the bright side.
Source:Oyin Steve | LinkedIn
Email: elora.akpotosevbe@yahoo.com
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