The following piece of writing is the account of one person's experience of becoming an American. Leaving the homeland is never easy. In leaving, we leave behind loving and loved-ones. We break away all the ties that bind us to our native land and we pay for that by being homesick once in awhile, now and then; who knows for how long; perhaps for the rest of our lives. We rarely overcome that sense of loss. And we visit what once was home in dreams. If we are strong and healthy we survive transplantation, living strong and healthy lives. We grow new roots; strong and healthy roots. Sometimes we go back to what was once the childhood home. It's good to visit. We only stay for a visit; and it is only a visit. The thing that binds us in the NOW of our existence, calls us to come back to what is now THE HOME. We kick off the traveling shoes and indulge in the pleasure of being THERE.