On Being Citizens

           

The United States is always in the news, and Americans somehow often seem to be in everyone’s faces. We like to do and say what we choose and are usually not hesitant about doing so, sometimes to the point where those representing the red, white and blue are not always gracious about opening their mouths.

His chosen country...

I often wonder if those of us who were born in America realize just what is possible for people who live in such a place with right and freedoms conferred at birth. I, like so many, took these all for granted until I married a man who came from Eastern Europe. My husband arrived in the U.S. in 1960 and for the rest of his long life, he deeply loved and appreciated his chosen country and took in its values as great treasures. And he was aware of the responsibilities that were his as a dedicated American.

Assumed joys of citizenship...

I think of his assumed joys of citizenship and wonder if I would have become as aware of my inherent freedoms without him? Perhaps on a regular basis we “born” Americans might pay greater attention as citizens to what is taking place in our names at leadership levels. Are these leaders worthy of us? If not, why should we leave them in place?

What is ours to cherish...

By now we should all know that freedom untended and unserved can easily slip through our fingers if we remain thoughtless and inattentive to what is ours to cherish!

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