Proud To Be An American

I saw a Facebook post of a girl from Newton with an American flag wrapped around her and it took me to a place I have been trying to avoid since I arrived in China. I have been sitting her contemplating what a privilege it is to be an Amerian. Anyone who knows me well, knows that the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday of the year. We always spend the week of the Fourth at our cabin in Bear Lake. It is a time of the year when we all try to gather together there as families. I love to get up on the morning of the Fourth and put my patriotic music in the CD player and turn it up loud for everyone to hear (much to the annoyance of some members of the family). Some of us like to get decked out in our patriotic shirts, etc. We always have a big cookout with all the food you can imagine. I love everything about the Fourth--the red, white, and blue, etc. EVERYTHING!!!

I skyped with some of the family at Bear Lake today. They were on the traditional trip to the Chevron on what we call the "Dog Run". (This name was derived from the "Poker Run" associated with the "Cruise-In" in Logan. The cars take a trip to Bear Lake the day before the actual Cruise-In and meet at the town square. We liked to go to the Chevron to watch the cars as they drove by and somehow we started referring to our trips as the "Dog Run.") We usually go around noon or one o'clock for a hot dog, soda, shake, or whatever. I am so glad they are up there and carrying on the tradition

The United States may have its problems and faults, but it is still the greatest nation on the earth. This has been driven home to me this past week as I have been talking with the realtors and others about their life in China. They have a hard life, but they know nothing different. They work hard to get ahead. They have been so amazed when I tell them about my children and grandchildren. When I tell them my daughter is expecting her third child, they can't believe it. They are only allowed to have one child.

When I first started this email, I was going to list all the things I could think of that makes America such a great place; but I kind of got side-tracked with my memories of the Fourth of July. I think it was good for me to write about it. I feel better and not so sad about what I am missing. So thanks for humoring me. One think I would like to put on my list is being able to turn on the faucet and drink the water. I miss that so much. We have 2 bottles of water put in our room everyday. We have to use that to brush our teeth and drink. Whenever we go to the restaurant in the thotel now they know we want ice water. When you go to a restaurant, you have to ask for cold water or they bring you warm. Lucy, the waitress from Sweden, told me we are the only people who ask for water. Everyone else has coffee or tea.

I am sending this Fourth of July post on the 3rd and will try not to think about it tomorrow. I am Proud to be an American and God Bless the USA!