The Michaels family owned a small farm in

Canada, just yards away from the North Dakota border. Their land had
been the
subject of a minor dispute between the United States and
Canada for
generations. Mrs. Michaels, who had just celebrated her
ninetieth
birthday, lived on the farm with her son and three
grandchildren.

One day, her son came into her room holding a letter. “I
just got some
news, Mom,” he said. “The government has come to an
agreement with
the people in Washington. They’ve decided that our
land is really part
of the United States. We have the right to
approve or disapprove of the
agreement. What do you think?”

“What do I think?” his mother said. “Jump at it! Call them right now

and tell them we accept! I don’t think I could stand another one of

those Canadian winters!”