Making It In America

A child, when criticized, does not improve.  An adult, when criticized, often just gets mad and continues to do things the same way.  What makes America’s critics think that simply sitting back and criticizing her will make anything better?  The truth is that some people just like to be critical, argumentative, and discontent.  They know what they say will not make anything improve.  They don’t offer any suggestions or work in any manner toward making America better.  Sometimes I wonder if the biggest problem in America is the malcontents that live here.  On the other hand, that is what makes America great-everyone who lives here can speak.  It doesn’t have to have value or be constructive!  America is my country, right or wrong.  I’m just glad to be able to say, “I’m an American!”  How about you?

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Wow!  What a difference a few hours make!  Yesterday I was joyful at what a good experience I had with my brief Black Friday escapade.  Then I turned on the internet news.  I see “Wal-Mart Employee Trampled to Death” and “Two Men Shot Dead at Toys R Us”.  Hello!  What is wrong when people put things and their desire to get things at a higher value than life?  What can be more important than human life?  Which gadget?  What toy? It is scary to think that we are becoming a people who are so unaware of the consequences of our actions that we do not think beyond the immediacy.  Breaking down doors and trampling a man to get to special sales items.  Mob mentality is scary.  Think America!  I believe in the second amendment, but people who take guns into a store that sells children’s toys give fuel to the fire of those who are against guns.  It’s time America.  Wake up and think!

Waking up early is not my idea of a good time, but it happens!  This morning we took off and headed for Staples to see if they had any good deals (okay, early for me wasn’t the same as opening for them).  In a matter of minutes we found everything we need.  We stood in line for quite awhile but the line still moved quickly considering the huge number of people there.  Because we hurried so much, we didn’t get a cart.  The man in front of me took the things out of the front of his cart and offered the space for my things quipping, “Now, I won’t pay for them, but you can put them there.”  We had a friendly chat while we slowly made our way to the front via the snake-line we were in.  The conversations around us  were polite, no complaining, no anger.  The help was great and we left the store thinking that Black Friday wasn’t so black after all.  It shone downright brightly!

As the evening sun sets, you think back on the day. The food was outstanding. It was fantastic to get together with mom, dad and the rest of the family, even Aunt Mabel. As the sun makes its final stand, it’s time to talk turkey. Tomorrow is the big game-Nebraska vs. Colorado! Growing up in Colorado, you’d think I’d cheer in that direction, but after ten years in Nebraska….Nebraska breathes football. It helps that there is no competition from a professional team of any sport. It also helps that all the farm boys (and quite a few city boys) dream of playing for the Huskers. I don’t know what happens when you move to Nebraska, but even after you leave three words stay in your head. “Go Big Red!”

I love the holidays. They give me time to spend with those I love the most. As I leave to go visit them, I will be stopped a time or two. I will be asked where I am coming from, where I am going and why. I might even be asked if I am carrying any fruit in my car. The scene is like that in the old communism movies only the guys are nicer and they won’t shoot me if I don’t have papers giving me the right to travel. The first time it happened, I was shocked and a little frustrated. Now it is just to be expected. Funny how we deal with change! First we fight it; then we put up with it. Finally, we accept it. They say change is coming to America. I hope it will be as easy to deal with, as it was when I first traveled near a U.S. border.

As the Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaches, let’s take time to forget all the political rhetoric and reflect. Everyone having the privilege to live in the United States has much to give thanks for every day. The freedom to right and say what we want, the right to travel at will, the right to worship as we choose. Look around the world-these are not guarantees. They are not even really rights. They are privileges for living in this wonderful country. During these holiday times, I would like to say “thank you” to all the military who are defending us today and who have defended us in the past. So, “Thank you, and God bless.”

In 1969, Thomas A Harris, MD wrote a book called I’m Okay, You’re Okay.  He stresses four types of life relationships with the title of the book being the healthy, adult attitude.  I’m okay, you’re not okay is described as the criminal position.  Reading the newspapers and internet articles, there seems to be an attitude building that says ” if you don’t agree with me there is something wrong with you and you are worthless.”  America is built on the principles that we can have our own opinions and still respect the opinions of others.  I know what I want for my country and I will express those views, but I will not become the type of ugly American that feels the need to be crude, insulting and rude to others whose views do not match mine.  I want no part of the criminal attitude, “I’m Okay, You’re Not Okay”.  Let’s move America forward with positive attitudes and a love for both America and Americans!

My country ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing! Growing up in America, this is a song I learned to sing by heart, with heart. Loving this country and respecting her flag was a part of my youth and it remains with me now, in my adult years! Her flag still stands for freedom and you can’t take that away or so the song says. But what is happening in our country really concerns me. Our young people are being taught that America is a country to be scorned. Her flaws are broadcast and her victories are buried. The very people who are teaching our young people are questioning America. I do not worry that Bill Ayers knew Barrack Obama; I worry because Ayers teaches our college students. It is time we started teaching our young people what a great country this is, surrounding them with those who know what America stands for and letting them be taught to let freedom ring!