Like most native-born Americans, I take freedom for granted. I’ve never known a life lived behind the veil of a burqa, nor have I seen a friend or loved one stoned to death for dishonoring her family.  I don’t have to perform brutal and horrific acts on my daughter so that she’s acceptable to society. I had the chance to go to school and even pursue higher education. I can choose to work outside my home or stay home with my child. I even got to choose the man I married and whether or not I wanted to have a child with him.

I know that I was born here by luck of the draw. I could have very easily been born in a place that doesn’t know the meaning of the word “freedom.” However, I know that the freedoms I have did not happen because of luck. Brave men and women had to fight, shed blood and even die for me to live the way that I do. I also know that we have a long way to go before every man, woman and child in America is truly granted the same rights and freedom, but we’re way the hell ahead of the rest of the world. I am so very grateful to those who fought in the past and those that will choose to fight in the future.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

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