The Fourth of July will go down as one of my Top Five Favorite Holidays. For one, I am a proud American. For another, I get chills when I see everyone coming together to celebrate our nation’s birthday, having BBQs and picnics, and settling in for awesome fireworks shows.
In some respects, the USA doesn’t have a lot going for it. Our economy sucks, the cost of living is out of this world, we have way too many people than we know what to do with, we have no idea what to do with this immigration problem, we’re responsible for the largest oil spill in U.S. history, and we think it’s perfectly acceptable to bash the leader of our country. We’re lazy, inconsiderate, snobby, and ruthless. We always want what we can’t have and we’re never perfectly satisfied with what we’ve got. We have an obesity epidemic and an insane crime rate.
Yet I am proud to be called an American. I am proud to be a citizen of this amazing country. Our history may not be as vast and rich as other countries, but what we have done is just a little over 200 years is incredible. We have fought through the Depression, multiple world wars, presidents being murdered, terrorism attacks, recession, and slavery. Did we come here on the best terms? No. Have other nations had it worse and are still struggling more than we can ever imagine? Yes. But there is something in the American soul that breeds a conquering spirit. We are survivors, we will continue to be survivors, and we don’t need to depend on the president to do so. (My opinion on his job, and how people are reacting to him, is a whole ‘nother post.)
Our country has something for everyone. Not a fan of cold weather? Move to Florida, where we only dip into the 30’s a few weeks into the year. Love the mountains, skiing, and curling up by the fire? Move to Colorado or Virginia or Wisconsin. Love the hustle and bustle of city life? Move to NYC or Chicago. Want a more quiet, country life? We have those as well.
There are so many opportunities for advancement in this country. We have state-of-the-art schools and universities, some of the best medical centers in the world, and so many ways to make a difference. Yeah, we’re dealing with unemployment and people out of work, but I still have faith that we’re going to get through this and we’re going to get back on our feet.
We have sports. Boy, do we have sports! We are a sports-loving country, that’s for sure. We love to rally around our U.S.A. teams during the Olympics and World Cup. We have the best sport in the history of sports: football. (Real, tough, knock-you-down football.) You can’t walk too far without seeing someone wearing sports paraphernalia.
There is so much to do in this great country. There is so much to see. You could travel for ages and never really uncover everything the U.S.A. has to offer. Our country may not be the biggest in the world, but it is packed with tourist destinations, beaches, shopping malls, parks, sports stadiums, museums, amusement parks, etc.
I love our country. My heart swells with pride whenever I see our flag. I get choked up hearing the National Anthem. My palms get sweaty whenever I see one of our military men, with everything I want to say to them, all the ways I want to thank them. I get annoyed when people bash our president because the lack of respect astounds me.
We are the U.S.A. We are survivors. We are conquerors. And we are going to rise above this recession, oil spill crisis, and healthcare dilemma to show the world that you can’t keep us down for very long.
Happy birthday, America.
I agree on all of this EXCEPT the football. Sorry lady, I just can't like it!
Happy 4th!
Touche Steph. Great post.
I often gripe about America because we think we are better than everyone else but this post today helped me to put it into perspective more.. Maybe I am being a bit too harsh and I should start centering myself on the great things that this country has that you have just outlined here.
Thank ya love.
Best,
Hannah Katy
Woo hoo Go AMERICA!
Wonderful post, Steph! I'm no fan of Obama, but it irritates me every time my mom talks to me about him and says, "Your President." She claims he's not her president, but in truth he's everyone in this entire country's president. Some people may not like him or agree with him, but he's still our president. And I'm with you, I have faith that America will pull through these struggles and issues. God is at hand with everything, moreso than Obama or any other politician involved with these issues. He's the decider, and I hope those politicians realize that. Especially since Obama likes to quote the Bible in his speeches. I'd really hate to know that he didn't believe in a single word he said. And maybe he doesn't, maybe he does. Who knows? The point is…
…you have an award on my blog. 🙂
Awesome post! Happy Fourth of July!!! Only 5 more days until our friend Dusty is back state-side…for good this time!!!
Happy 4th of July! Every single American that I've met (mostly through blogging) has been absolutely lovely, so I'm not sure what the stereotype is all about!
I hope you have a wonderful day! Everyone should be proud of your country and in North America we are EXTREMELY lucky to have the things that we have!
This was a great post, happy 4th of July to you! I can totally relate when you say you get chills when your country bands together to celebrate it being great – I feel that way with the UK 🙂
Hope you had a wonderful holiday!
America is great, despite our issues. I think people forget we're a relatively young country, and we're a melting pot of 100s of different cultures. We'll work it out.
Amen to this post! Well said and this is my favorite 4th of July post! I get the chills too when we all get together to celebrate America's Birthday and take the time to be proud to be Americans.
Love this post! The 4th is one of my favorite holidays, too, because it's a day where we can come together and celebrate all the wonderful things about our country. 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend!
While our patriotism differs, I appreciate your enthusiasm! 🙂 Also, I left you something on my blog.
I have to agree with what Hannah Katy said above, I sometimes get annoyed with the "we are better" attitude, but then again- I think sometimes thats just the stereotype and most people don't really think we are better than other countries, at least none of my friends think that. Anyways, thanks for this important post that reminds us to be proud of our country 🙂
Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July and long weekend!