This letter recently appeared in North Mississippi Parent magazine. I thought that this holiday weekend would be the perfect time to share it. Happy 4th!
Dear America,
First, let me say, you are beautiful. There is no other like you on the face of the earth. You were created by God and for God to be a force of good and righteousness. I love you, America.
I have had the great opportunity to travel to many countries all over the world. And there is no place like home. The feeling of touching down on American soil always brings a smile and a happy sign—Ahhh, I am home! I get the same feeling no matter if I am landing in Miami, New York, Atlanta, or Chicago.
I celebrate you, America. I want you to remember the foundation on which you were created. It was a good foundation, a righteous foundation. It was born in the hearts of men who dared to look ahead to future generations—to us. They were willing to give themselves for our sake.
Last year, I got to see my sweet little Asian in her end of the year preschool program. She sang and danced and jumped up and down. I was a proud mom, and just as every mother there felt about her own child, I secretly thought mine was the cutest.
The program had a patriotic theme and at one point I got a little misty-eyed when they sang This Land Is My Land.
This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me
As I was walking a ribbon of highway
I saw above me an endless skyway
I saw below me a golden valley
This land was made for you and me.
I looked at the huge group of adorable children and saw not only precious American-born babies, but also saw some of Sally’s best friends including Sophie, also from China and Lucy, from Ethiopia. And yet, this land is their land.
Of course they don’t know what that means. They don’t realize how different their birth land is from the land which is now theirs. And maybe I don’t even know what that means for me, or at least I don’t take the time to think about it.
This land is my land, this land is your land. America is ours. We can say that because we have the freedom to say that.
Do we have any idea what it means that we can freely think, live, decide, determine, be what we want to be?
Do we have any idea what it means that we can love, and worship, and share, and speak truth?
Do we have any idea what it means that there are those who have fought and even died for us to be able to say and sing: This land is your land, this land Is my land?
As we celebrate the Fourth of July, let’s really remember this time. Let’s don’t just cook burgers and hot dogs. Let’s don’t just shoot fireworks or enjoy our time with family. Let’s really remember. And let’s thank God for the gift of this land.
So today, America, know you are loved and appreciated. Know that you are prayed for daily by me and countless others. Remember your great heritage and pass it on to the next generation.
God bless you, America.
Sincerely,
Sara Berry
PS:
- Parents, what are you doing to pass down love for our country, love for freedom? Would your kids say you love America? I think we need to fall in love with our country all over again. And then we need to pass it on to our children, so they can pass it on to theirs ….
Here are some practical ways you can show you love America.
- Vote. This is your right and your responsibility. I have known many people who will not vote because none of the candidates fit their exact list of qualifications. But we must realize that someone will win elections. And we can do our part in voting for the candidate that best fits our values, even if it is not a perfect fit.
- Always put your hand over your heart during the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. ‘Nuff said.
- When you see someone in the military, stop and shake their hand and say thank you. My son, Troy, actually taught me this one. When he was thirteen, we were in a store, in a hurry as usual. He stopped suddenly and turned to go down an aisle. Quite honestly, I felt irritated—didn’t he know we were in a hurry? Then the irritation turned to pride when I saw why he had turned. He walked up to a man in fatigues, held out his hand, and said, “I just want to say thanks for all you do for us.” Sometimes our kids understand better than we do.
- Pray for our country. Everyday. Especially now. And pray for yourself and your children–and me and my children–that we all would understand what we have before it is too late.
There is an old adage which states, “Few are privileged to enjoy the shade of the tree that they have planted.” But plant the tree anyway. We must plant the seeds of patriotism in our children and then future generations will enjoy its shade.
