What America Means To Me!

What America Means to Me...

Star spangled, red and white
Apple pie and amber waves of grain
Mothers and daughters, fathers and sons
Raising families in safety in a nation of might

True unadulterated freedom reaching from sea to shining sea
Trips to the moon, shining cities on the hill
and fireworks blazing through the night

Soldiers protection from the dark
Proud marines on the march
Greatness and brotherly love
Never backing down from a fight

Freedom of speech and due process
A free economy, and ample opportunities
Living with integrity and honor
Having kindness and compassion for others

The realization that we are all Americans
One nation, under God, blessed with wisdom and insight
This is what America means to me!

Happy Birthday to one hell of a great nation!

Things That Enter By Way of Silence

There are many things, both real and emotional, that enter into our lives silently:

The disturbed air moving from a kiss blown by a daughter to her father;

Soft, silent cat paws strolling through the house to greet their beloved human as they arrive home;

Sunlight glimmering over the horizon at the dawn of a new day;

A strong, bonded love that does not need words to convey the depth of the emotion;

Arms encircling you from behind in a hug of friendship and support;

Earned respect that develops between two equals;

The grace and power that shines from the eyes of a lion gazing across the savannah;

Butterfly wings brushing against rose petals as it seeks out the nectar from the bloom;

The mouthing of "I love you," by your lover from across the room;

The subtle approach of death as it approaches us all;

A soft spring breeze that tickles the leaves, seen but not heard;

Moonlight glistening on the calm water, and the moon's reflection dancing across it;

Birds in flight as they migrate home in the spring;

The unbreakable bond forged between a mother and her child at the moment of birth;

Laughter and mirth shining in the eyes of a close friend;

The honor of a solider as they stand proudly defending our nation;

The twinkling lights of distant stars across the night's sky like a billion diamonds;

The earth's rotation as we habitat our pale blue dot in a vast, endless universe;

The development of faith in a higher power and a belief in the greater good of man;

Smoke emerging from a warm fire burning merrily on the hearth;

Anvil shaped clouds exploding upwards before a thunderstorm;

The currents of the ocean as they travel around the planet;

Cotton candy clouds floating lazily across the sky on a hot summer's day;

Snow falling to the earth;

A parent's warmth as they nestle their child on dark nights;

The arising sense of feeling secure and at ease in our own skin;

Leaves turning from verdant greens to their golden hues as fall approaches;

Patience with an ever chaotic world;

Grace and goodwill towards our fellow men and women.