Lessons on being an American

I’ve been thinking lately about how I’ll explain Independence Day and what it means to be an American to my daughter.  This year, I won’t say a whole lot.  She’s turning 21 months on Saturday.  She understands lots of things, but there is a lot that she doesn’t yet understand either.  This year, thus far, my explanation has come when we were playing outside in the evening and heard firecrackers in the distance.  I explained that the noise was fireworks.  And, yes, they are noisy.  But, they are nothing to be worried about or scared of.  So, now she hears them and says, “Firecrackers.  It’s OK.”

However, I’m fully aware that it won’t be long until that’s not enough.  I’m also aware that many of her lessons on being an American will come through example rather than direct words.  For instance, I want her to see when we are at church or a ball game and the national anthem is played that her father and I stand and put our hands over our hearts.  Not everyone does this any more.  I think it’s important.  It shows respect for our country, flag and all the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

And I will tell her one of these days about those men and women.  I will tell her how her Poppy got sent to a jungle when he was just out of high school.  He went and did his duty and our family is so proud.  I will tell her how her Great-Grandpas who she met in heaven before coming to us served in World War II — one as a solider and one as a medic.  And I’ll tell her how her Great-Great-Uncle David gave his life in World War II.   She wouldn’t understand any of that this year.  But, one day she will.  And I hope that for her, it will make her proud to be an American, just like it does me.

She will learn in school about all the battles of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and this country’s history.  She will learn of the dark things that our country has done, and she will learn of the victories.  She will learn about how terrorists attacked our country on Sept. 11, 2001.  Her father and I will tell her what we were doing and what we remember of that day.  And she will start to understand why security is so tight at airports and sporting events.  She won’t know anything different.

But, I also want her to learn more than just war and sacrifice and fear.  I want her to learn about all the good things in this country.  I want her to understand and appreciate that we have the freedom to say what we want to say, live how we want to live and serve God openly.  I want her to know that it’s OK to not always agree with government leaders (it’s a wonderful freedom) but at the same time, it’s important to always respect the positions they hold.

I want her to learn that she has great opportunities in this country.  She can chose to be whatever she wants to be when she grows up.  She’s not limited by government or societal restrictions.  I want her to learn that she can have a voice in the way the country runs through her vote that our foremothers fought for years before either of us were born.

I want her to learn that along with those opportunities and freedoms that she has a responsibility to leave this world a better place than she found it.  She’s already made my world better just by existing, but I know there is so much more she’ll do as she grows up.  This smart girl of mine may make a major scientific discovery, write the next great masterpiece, run for a political office and/or be a mother herself and raise smart, responsible children.

I want her to learn to thank God for all of these blessings of being an American and all that comes with it.  I want her to learn that she can also affect change through prayer.  If God can move mountains, He can certainly move governments.

All of that will come as she grows and learns.  For this Independence Day, though, I’ll be thankful enough for both of us.  And I’ll dress in her red, white and blue with some sparkly stars.  She’ll look cute.  We may grill some hot dogs.  I’ll assure her again when she hears firecrackers.  And I’ll tuck her safely into bed before the major fireworks even start.  Then my husband and I will watch the Macy’s fireworks on television and go safely to bed ourselves.  We have a lot for which to be thankful.

Happy Independence Day!

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