USA – Appreciation Magic

Think back on your most memorable road trip.

When I was younger, we used to take a lot of road trips in the car. I loved going places. While I’ve been to many different countries in my life, I have fond memories of trips in the car in the U.S.

Perhaps my most memorable road trip was one where I drove west with my mom and two cousins who were visiting from the former Czechoslovakia. It was during the days when it was nearly impossible for most Czech visitors to come to the U.S. due to the country’s strict laws. While I had more cousins there, only the older ones could visit at that time. So our family gathered up funds to bring them here for a visit.

This road trip took us from Iowa to Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota. We visited the Rocky Mountain National Park, The Grand Tetons National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Mt. Rushmore Monument, The Badlands National Park, Deadwood and the Corn Palace.

It was tiring because I drove it all. But it was a beautiful time together and to see my relatives’ reactions to the beauty of our national park system. I appreciate that time and the opportunity to show them a bit of my country’s beauty.

I appreciate my country! Here’s some reasons why: freedom, choice, laws, due process, opportunities, voting, grassroots democracy, running water, electricity, abundance of resources, history, culture, cities, towns, countryside, football, baseball, volunteerism, mountains, plains, community centers, deserts, National Parks, the men and women who serve her, highways, roads, fields, skyscrapers, monuments, choices, freedom to move around, travel, small towns, holidays, Grand Canyon, the Rocky Mountains, parades, fireworks, beaches, seasons, Thanksgiving holiday, diversity, and last, but not least – even our system of government. While there’s bickering and disagreement often amongst the people who are in public service, I do appreciate that each citizen has the right to vote! Did I mention that I appreciate the choices here? (I think I’ve mentioned it at least 3 times!) Choices and freedoms are what this country is all about and I appreciate that I have this forum to publicly thank my country! This is a freedom I don’t take for granted. It is a freedom that sometimes people forget when they express the “love it or leave it” mentality. I appreciate the freedom in being able to have an opinion, and the respect for the diversity of opinions and the ability to speak or write my opinion freely. I know I am fortunate to having been born in the United States of America! So Happy Birthday, USA! I appreciate you!