Thanks for reading and for commenting, Meagan. The I-407 form does, indeed, call it Declaration of Abandonment of Permanent Residency and it does feel pretty harsh! The form also asks for Signature of Alien, which, when I signed felt like a final confirmation of my status as outsider. As a footnote, we went to the border at Ogdensburg, NY yesterday to give the cards back and the officer looked at our forms — and wouldn’t let us turn them in. Can you believe that?! After all of the times we have interacted with Customs and Border Patrol Officers in the last 11 years — we had this totally unknown experience yesterday of someone who was really, really trying to think of what would be in our best interest. When I turned over the cards, he asked, “Do you really want to do this?” To which I replied, “Well, of course, we have mixed emotions about it, but we moved to Ottawa last year for my job, so it has been a year — we sort of have to give them back, right?” He looked at us and said, “I mean no disrespect, but you guys don’t look like you really want to do this. I know what it took for you to get these cards –never mind the cost — probably, $10,000” to which, we said, “yes” and he said, “Listen. I could take these forms, but you can apply for a travel document that will give you another year to decide — you may not be living here now, but what if Michigan State calls you back offering you a lot of money? Or (to Chris) you get an amazing offer in the US?” To which we said, “Really? We don’t have to give them back just yet?” And he said, “Nope. Take more time.” So, after all of that crying and soul searching and writing, America, Officer Kroeger thought maybe we didn’t want to let you go and, we kept the cards. xox

Thank you so much, Kathy.

Thank you for reading, Karen. And thanks, too, for your kind words. Hugs xo.

Ah, Lorrie, Thank you so much. I just had to write last night — I was sobbing wayyy too much during Hillary’s speech 😉 xo