Country

When I was a little girl in school, all of the patriotic songs touched my heart so much. I didn't know much about my country then, but the songs took over and helped me as I learned. I loved Battle Hymn Of The Republic, God Of Our Fathers, America the Beautiful, America and others.

Then my family and I took trips and I saw Independence Hall and The Statue Of Liberty. Later I was privileged to see Old North Church and the Freedom Trail in Boston.

As a teen, I sat on our new green wall to wall carpet and watched a political convention. It was so interesting. I got to hear all of the speakers. Even now, I love the gavel to gavel channels and not the talking heads that tell what people said.

More travels showed me the beauty Of America. I have seen the rocky shores of Maine, the southern moss covered trees, the red rock of Arizona, the glaciers of Alaska and the lushness of Hawaii. The farmlands of Indiana and Ohio, to me are wonderful to see and not boring at all. And then there are the many sparkling lakes that make my home, Michigan.

I'm so thankful for the Founding Fathers and our form of government. We have so many conveniences and aids to happy living. I'm thankful for all of the soldiers who strove and still do to keep our country free. And I am thankful for the kind people I meet every day, who help me with difficult things and are so happy when I can do something for them. What a wealth of riches this country is, flaws and all. And so I now say: "God bless America."