America... to me.

It was my turn to do car pool today and while I am suffering a bit from post election depression I could not help but smile during the conversation of all the littles in my car.

It would start out, "When I grow up, I'm going to be a........."  And they would finish the sentence with enthusiasm and vigor and get all excited as they reached for the sky. Then they would look at me in the rear view mirror with their eyes sparkling and innocent and wait for me to nod and encourage each of their ideas.  They would smile and do a little wiggle and dream of the next thing they were going to be when they grew up.  The game lasted the whole way to school.

I felt so grateful for them to be able to actually have the opportunity to make those dreams come true.  With HARD WORK it is possible because we live in an amazing country.

After I dropped off the kids I started of thinking about the song by Rodney Atkins, It's America.  I began to think of all the things that make it America for me:

It's freedom of religion that my ancestors fought so hard for.

It's going into a grocery store and having more than one choice on a brand of bread. Not to mention aisles and aisles of chocolates and cheeses to choose from.

It's going for walks and enjoying painted sunrises every morning.

It's taking the kids to the park and the whole time we are there, we feel safe.

It's listening to the Peter Cetera station on Pandora.
It's catching candy at a parade during Western Week.

It's watching your kids catch grasshoppers in big green open fields.

It's going out for frozen yogurt on family night.

It's opportunity that when you need a little extra money, you can do a side job and get it.

It's a deep pride that every time you see a flag it brings you back down to what really matters.

It's farmers markets and pumpkin patches.
It's looking up at the stars and a harvest moon on a clear night and feeling pride because we have had someone land on that huge bright yellow ball...in a lunar Rover.

It's a picnic complete with a homemade chocolate ice box cake.

It's going for a ride in your Grandad's Cadillac.

It's knowing that what ever natural disaster unleashes, we will come together and get through it.

It's getting a birthday card in the mail.

It's playing dress up in your Grandma's trunk.

It's peanut butter and jelly and carrot sticks.
It's crickets chirping outside your bedroom window at night.

It's planting a garden and trying to grow the biggest watermelon.

It's piano lessons and learning how to wash a car.

It's knowing that you live in the most extraordinary country in the world and would do anything for it.