I see America

 

 

"This land is your land, this land is my land..."

Yesterday when I was cutting my fast growing grass, I had time to ponder. In fact, many times I do some of my best thinking when cutting grass. It is a time to empty out the clutter and then sometimes think deep thoughts. Yesterday was one of those days.

I thought about America. Our great country. Even though I often complain about the direction we are headed with some important constructs, there is still no other place on Earth like it. American Exceptionalism. American spirit. American leadership. As my thoughts went deeper, it all boiled down to one immutable fact - each day, every day, I see America.

I see America in most everything I do, everyplace I go, and yes, most everyone I met or talk with. I see our freedoms, our liberty blaze their colors in most everything we do in this great country. I see America when I visit friends, both current and from the past. I see America when I safely worship at a church of my choice. When working, I saw in America great and unfettered opportunity. Opportunity for each to succeed or to fail. I was able to work where I wanted to work, and do the type of job I wanted to do.

I see America every time I walk into a grocery store and see thousands of items stocked on full shelves. I see America when I drive down the most streets. There I see almost unlimited houses which are heated, cooled, plumbed, and shelters from bad weather. I see America when I drive through the countryside and see thousands upon thousands of acres of growing crops. I see America knowing that many of those crops not only feed our people, but also millions worldwide who do not have enough food.

I see America when I see the compassion which runs through this land like a mighty river of hope. I see America when our people help the hungry, the homeless and the hurting both near and afar. Yes, I also see America when evil raises its ugly head and the world looks to America for help. And I see America when sometimes helping a hurting world costs us the most valuable of all treasures - our young men and women. Our young men and women who sometimes give all by going into harm's way to vanquish evil and preserve liberty.

And I see America when nations look up to us as not just as a country, but as an idea. The rock singer Bono recently said, "America is not just a country, it is an idea which has now been shared with the world". And that we are. For you and I are not the only ones who see America - it is also seen by millions, billions of people worldwide. As President Reagan said, "America is a city on a hill for all to see."

Yes, I even see America in our political process where we may disagree without our disagreements becoming violent. I see an America where as imperfect as we are, we continue to be a work in progress. I see an America where most each and every one of us has the opportunity to vote for America's direction every other year.

And I see the hope for America when I look into my grandson's blue eyes. For he is one of the inheritors. This land now belongs to him also. My hope is as he grows and matures, those eyes will be opened. Opened so he too, will be able to see America. And what a sight that is to behold...