Enlightening the World

What an amazing experience it would be to born in one country and move to another. I know someone that did this very thing, I know her as Libby. Though I know her story, it was not told to me directly by her. Libby was born in Europe and moved to America as a small child many years ago. As a woman relocating to the United States of America in the mid-eighteen hundreds she had many obstacles to over come.

Libby lived in Paris for the first nine years of her life. Then one month after her ninth birthday she decided to move to America. Being quite the extravagant young lady that she was, Libby packed 214 suitcases of essentials. Then boarded the French frigate “Isere”, but only after persuading the crew to allow for all of her carry on baggage. Her entire voyage took just over one year.

The ship docked on an island just off the New York shore. Upon her arrival to her surprise the natives all ran in fear. Libby was somewhat strange and overwhelming to them. The poor girl had traveled an exhausting journey and all she longed for was to make friends in this new country. Libby ended up staying on that island by herself hoping that someday people would be able to look past her differences and come to visit her.

Two years went by and Libby was finally made an official citizen. She had started to make friends but they were few and far between. Seeing the misfortune that Libby was undergoing the President of the United States deiced to show his acceptance for her by giving a speech. Though his speech lightened the hearts of those around her she was not fully embraced for yet another thirty-eight years.

Each following year Libby’s group of supporters grew. The following sixty years where Libby’s golden years, she became so popular that she had to install swivel doors for her 4.2 million visitors each year. New York’s even renamed the island she resides at to “Liberty Island” in her honor. Over the years she has seen and been through numerous events but not until just recently did she cry her first tear. When she saw so many of those close friends died needlessly from a fount row view and nothing she could do to stop it.

The Statue of Liberty now as never before stands tall and proud reminding us all of who we are and where we come from. Inscribed on her is the statement “Liberty Enlightening the World” what a powerful declaration particularly when reviewing our present circumstances. Let us consider on a few words from President Cleveland’s Acceptance Statement given in October of 1886 when he said “We will not forget that liberty here made her home; nor shall her chosen altar be neglected”. We will fight to protect and honor our country and we, as a nation will prevail, nay shall we neglect neither her altar nor our country.