250
Happy Birthday, USA❣️
I’m sure everyone knows by now the importance of adding the task ‘touch grass’ to our daily lives. The grounding effect of our bodies to the planet has a way of calming my nervous system. What started as a way to get folks chained to their screens to get outside and connect with nature, was referred to back in the day as a ‘reality check’. For me, it’s a return to earth, a way to get back to the root of who I am.
As the United States prepares for the celebration of our country’s 250th birthday, it’s the perfect time to get back to basics and return to the roots of our great country. I found myself using this anniversary to get back to who we are meant to be and clearly see the way forward to our bright and shining future.
As a fifth-grade teacher, I taught the American Revolution for many years. I’m proud of the way we approached the information, examining stories from the Patriots, the Loyalists, the Tories, the spies, and the revolutionaries. We taught about families torn apart by their beliefs, the views of women, children, and enslaved people, people of the time who had no voice.
This detailed view of history gave me a new purpose in celebrating the 4th of July. I felt I truly understood what had been lost and what had been gained by people just like me, only much braver and more determined.
In recent years, I don’t celebrate as much as I used to. Since retirement, I have lost some of the vim and vigor I have to champion the accomplishments of the American Revolution. I know the upheaval in our political systems has also had a lot to do with my diminished enthusiasm.
But now, it seems to be back. Thanks to the foreign visitors recently hosted across the country who came to participate in the FIFA World Cup.
The players and fans who came and posted online reviews of our culture have done what no PR firm could ever achieve. They did not make America great again, they merely highlighted some of the things that have made us great all along, and I’m here for every bit of it!
These folks marveled at the largeness of things like trucks, stores, and free refills.
They drooled over the syrup selection at Waffle House, the assorted snacks available at Buc-ee’s, and the deliciousness of BBQ beef and pork.
Their eyes couldn’t believe the scenic downtown streets, compared to the New York skyline they had seen in movies and thought was how all of this country was built.
They were amazed by smiling faces, eye contact, and the friendliness of people that they had assumed were all gun-toting killers.
All of this was very entertaining, but at the heart of it, there was a new understanding of a land that is larger than the whole European continent. How did these states agree on language and commerce and policies to make it all work under one umbrella of nation?
It was such a treat to watch these videos and new clips and remember that this is an amazing place. Down here on the ground, away from the 24-hour news cycle pushing the unbelievable state of our nation’s politics, it is easier to see how beautiful we are. The things we live every day that are so easily taken for granted.
That was one thing that made me smile. But the facts that really touch my heart are ones I learned back in the classroom. We used to watch videos called ‘Kid President’ where young Robby Novak gave the students pep talks. He used to remind us that if we have food, clothes, and a place to sleep, we are richer than 75% of the world.
Remembering to be grateful is what these new videos did for me. Celebrating the 250th birth of our nation this weekend, I offer up some links to the YouTube videos I saw that made me remember. Maybe a quick view can help you too.
This is also a great time to watch Paul Giamatti star in the mini-series ‘John Adams’, or even a Kid President video! Have a listen to ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and imagine you were the one sitting inside Fort McHenry. Read the Declaration of Independence – closely. These are all things that make me proud to be a part of such a noble and magnificent endeavor that has lasted 250 years.
That is what I’ll be remembering this Fourth of July, lighting the fires within to embrace these rights and courageously protect these freedoms of our wild and precious democracy.
Watch the fireworks light up the night skies.
And remember to touch the grass that is the United States of America.
What an amazingly sweet tribute. I loved the nostalgic feeling that the scenic downtown streets compared to the NYC downtown description evoked. Amazing job, Karen.
Happy 250.