Another new citizen

Yesterday was Won's swearing in ceremony to become a U. S. Citizen. She was really looking forward to that.

I didn't go. I hung out with friends instead and tried not to think about it.

I also spent part of Saturday at my credit union, telling them that my wife was dead, and that her personal account should be closed, and her name taken off of our joint account. They wanted a death certificate - so I gave them the death certificate from Korea, along with her cremation certificate.

But the death certificate listed her maiden name, not her married name. In Korea, the woman doesn't change her name in marriage, but Won changed her name for me here in America. Since she was only a Permanent Resident with a green card, Won traveled on her Korean passport and still had a National Korean ID card.

The credit union couldn't do anything right away, because the name on the death certificate didn't match the name of the account holder. I was ready for that though... I had our marriage certificate with me, along with a copy of her Korean Passport that said she was married to me. I also had a copy of her green card and her cremation certificate. The credit union copied everything and sent it to their legal department. I should know something in a few days.

I guess since it only took a few minutes to clear the legalities with customs and immigration, that I expected the same to happen at the credit union. They seem more cautious than the Feds.


It was rainy and gloomy yesterday and this morning. It rained off and on all night last night. It fits my mood.

She was so looking forward to being an American, and was eager to vote in her first election.

1 comment:

Mike aka MonolithTMA said...

Several years ago, before becoming an atheist, I would have responded with "I'm praying for you." As an atheist, I no longer have that luxury and I find it forces me to actually think about my response, it forces me to actually consider your feelings and your situation more than I probably would have before.

Whenever we lose someone it's the little reminders that hit us, or, like in this case, the big reminders.

I wish all organizations would make it easier to deal with the passing of a loved one.

It's rainy and gloomy here too, but it can't rain all the time.