My father never misses an opportunity to remind me of how truly fortunate I am to be an American. Now that I am a mother, I always remind my son. Yes, I fly my flag out front of our home, cheer on our stars and stripes and proudly carry my American passport.
This past week I visited a country where the people would do ANYTHING to enjoy the lifestyle we are able to lead as Americans. Once my fear of men with machine guns, sniffing dogs and people living in sheer horrific poverty subsided, all I wanted to do was help. Yes, help. If you’re reading this, you are someone I adore, respect, admire and appreciate and know you’ll want to help too.
As we continue to watch and wait for what might happen with our government, I encourage you to set aside your political frustrations and instead, make a difference. What can you and your family, friends and colleagues do to help this week? Prepare meals for meal kitchens and churches in the community? Donate clothing? Visit an elder to ensure they are warm, fed and clothed? Coordinate assistance in healthcare? Make donations to local programs to help our homeless? Go see a vet at the VA and lend an ear to someone who bravely put their life on the line for our stars and stripes.
Yes, we are the land of the free. Now, let’s show this world that we are truly the home of the brave.
I suspect you might recognize a few of these lyrics…
“Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave…”
I’m sharing this message with incredible pride and great faith, as I know we are all here to step-up and lead. If you are feeling unsure as to “how” to help, pick up any history book, as my father always says, “The one certainty about history is that it always repeats itself.”
Edited by: Maura Connor
