Glad to be an American

America, America, God shed His grace on thee. . . .

I spent my Fourth of July working. Working because my boss saw this historic day of liberty as an opportunity to make money. I was the last one in the restaurant, hours after everyone else left. Which is fine. . .

I then proceeded to go home, get dressed up to go to a friend of a friend's house to eat salty meat, chocolate pie, and cheap watermelon. Spent my night among strangers feeling disconnected from everything they were saying. All the shared stories they were laughing about together. We watched the Patriot. I missed the fireworks. I came home. Feeling ridiculously homesick....

And here I am. Wondering. What does it really mean to be American? We celebrate the fourth of July but do we ever consider it? Ever stop and ask, am I really so proud to be an American?

I'd like to think so.

I'd like to believe that this country is a land worth living in. A land of justice and freedom. And all the cheesy words often associated with the US of A.

But why do I believe that?......

I watch the news.....I read the newspapers and am subscribed to Times magazine.....

I have friends who believe that the United States government is completely corrupt, that we are on the edge of becoming a socialistic nation or falling under the lead of a dictator posing as a patriotic man.....

I read about the scandals in the White House and have read some of the current conspiracy theories........

It's hard to really know....truth......

I've watched Americans hurt other Americans......cried when a good friend was shot in the face at a movie theater......

I see homeless people begging in the streets every day and have been spit on by a man upset with my service as a waitress while working on the Royal Gorge train....all because he didn't quite like the food.....

Greed and selfishness seem to abound.....gluttony and vanity thrive....are encouraged....and laziness? It's everywhere....
We pride ourselves with being the greatest nation yet we are falling apart from the inside out.....our economy is a wreck, our people divided, and our government seemingly abusing power........

The family and home and values and God are all under attack......and everyone is all about being so politically correct that anything and everything is offensive.......


But.....

.....I've also walked upon this beautiful land.....Appreciated the sights of National Parks....grand mountains, amazing canyons. I've stood in the presence of great people, some famous--most not....admired their tenacity and their great strength of will despite all odds..... I've had amazing role models.... I've seen strangers helping strangers, and teachers helping youth.....I've talked to extremely poor, humble people, sat in their homes while they told me about life with a smile on their faces....

I'm impressed daily by the technological and medical advances the American people still continue to achieve...

I can say I've known a fair share of geniuses.

I was raised in a home with five wonderful brothers, my parents being able to have as many kids as they wanted. I was taught strong values and how to work, and learned to honor my father and my mother and respect my elders. I was shown to love God and how to love people. I was taught to love my country, to serve others, to not take my American, God-given unalienable rights for granted.

I have the freedom of speech and the freedom to worship whomever and however I may please.

I can go wherever and however I may please.

I am going to a school of my choosing and am getting a wonderful education at the young age of 21.
I'm working to make my own way in this world as a young woman. A single, reckless, independent, young woman.

I've laughed as comedians have made fun of the follies of politicians, have cried alongside fellow Americans--strangers when tragedy has taken place.

My best friend is a Mexican, my favorite teacher is a democrat, the first guy I ever kissed was black, and I have Irish, Scottish, and German in my blood.

I drink clean water, sleep in a nice bed, pay taxes, enjoy reading and writing. I can send letters to anywhere in the world and really really...love fireworks....

I feel safe at night. I feel safe in the daytime.

So what does it mean to be an American?.......

To me, it means I am blessed. It means I must strive to bring light in this world, to continue to serve my fellow man. It's honoring my parents, loving my family, enjoying my liberty. It's fighting for what's right and protecting those who are in need of protection. It's defending everything our forefathers of this great nation intended this nation to be, everything God intended this nation to be....
It's living in a fast, changing, extremely intelligent world and being able to keep balance as well as simply, keep up....

So yah.....I am proud to be an American. Though imperfect, confusing, and hard these times may be....at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me...and I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. Cause there aint no doubt, I love this land.

God bless the USA...