Each night as I watch the news, it seems to bring more distressing news about scandals, hits, terrorism, trauma, drama and greed in America. It hurts to watch it. It hurts to think about it.
With that in mind, I decided to come up with my own list of why I love America For the next five Mondays I will write 20 things I love about America. None of them are monumental or earth-shattering; but they do make me remember what sets America apart from the rest of the world and makes our freedoms so great.
100 Things I LOVE About America
The First 20---Places:
2. Homecoming parades.
3. Church on Sunday morning.
4. Summer cornfields in Kansas.
5. Wooden bridges.
6.The romance and lure of Route 66 (as it runs right through the middle of my state).
7. Small-town main streets lined with cars.
8. Town squares in small towns that host everything from prom pictures to bake sales to carnivals.
9. College football stadiums on Saturday afternoons.
10. Backyards full of fireflies on a June night with kids running around catching the little pieces of magic.
11. Produce stands and farmers markets when the produce is so fresh there is still wet dirt on the fruits and vegetables.
12. Fourth of July firework displays, celebrating with hundreds (or thousands) of people as everyone 'oohs' and 'aahs' together.
13. American Legion sponsored baseball games. The games are wonderful. There is always a huge American flag waving. The Star-Spangled Banner is played before every game starts. Great sportsmanship is displayed.
14. Election polling locations on the first Tuesday in November, with the flag proudly displayed, the curtained booths and the little old ladies handing out "I Voted" stickers.
15. Libraries full of free books and so much other information that we have unlimited access to.
16. Cemeteries on Memorial Day. In their own way they are beautiful as we celebrate and honor those we loved with flowers and flags.
17. Miles and miles and miles of beaches where you can sit with toes in sand, mesmerized by the vast ocean.
18. Church camp during the summer. Early mornings and late nights. Songs around campfires. Groups and classes, swimming and softball, baptisms in the river, mess halls and chapel.
19. Neighborhoods that still have brick streets.
20. Spending summer afternoons at the lake with family, friends and boats.
"My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing...."
Me, too. I especially loved church camp. Never missed a year after I started going when I was 10 until I started going as a sponsor.
ReplyDeleteLots of beautiful memories, wonderful friends, and a yet deeper walk with our Lord.
Great reminders. Thanks.
Love this post. I love all those things, too. And sitting on the porch at night, eating watermelon & spitting the seeds, grilling hamburgers.
ReplyDeleteDITTO! I am so proud to be an American! I love my country!!
ReplyDeletexo
LeAnn
Amen to those, Lori! Your 20 Things theme is wonderful, I'm looking forward to reading next week's list. And your patriotic tablescape was amazing, definitely the best one of all, so incredibly clever! The photos and postcards are so special. Have a great week, and thanks for your visit!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Andrea