Our great nation is worthy of celebrating

It is almost the Fourth of July. I can tell this because random booms have been startling the cat for more than a week. It will be at least another week before quiet returns to my little corner of the world. Plus, the debris from other people’s fireworks has already shown up in my yard. This prompts the little old lady in me to grumble about inconsiderate people.

That grouchy old lady also takes umbrage at the notion that we are going to make America great again. Really? When did our country cease being great? Who made it not great? I take exception to the notion that our country is not great, but then, I supposed I have a different notion of greatness than those who proclaim our non-greatness.

Our mountains are still magnificent. Our valleys are still filled with hidden beauty. Field after field of crops still feed hungry people, not just in America, but around the world. Our lakes, rivers and ponds still hold a variety of life. It may not always be the life we want, but it is life. We have set aside vast tracts of land, called them national parks and largely prevented people from destroying their natural beauty.

Oh, the land itself is not what is meant by greatness? I think of my niece’s husband who has traveled the world with his company distributing glasses. Helping people see isn’t great? There are innumerable American charities helping people in this country and all over the world. America is still among the first to offer aid whenever there is a disaster anywhere on the planet.

For a nation supposedly founded on the Bible, to ignore the verse, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of these is charity,” strikes me as odd. Yes, I know modern translations translate the word “charity” as ”love” but my point is the same. I count charity as a measure of greatness. Apparently I am in the minority.

We do have many problems in this country and I am not discounting them. We have a growing drug problem and a growing distrust, fear and open dislike of anyone who is not “us.” Our infrastructure is in dire need of upkeep and I’m talking about values as well as roads and bridges.

Our news sources constantly remind us of how dangerous we have become to each other. Various groups tell us the only answer is for everyone to own a gun and know how to use it. We are cautioned to keep our doors locked and trust no one.

Bah humbug. I firmly believe that inside each and every one of us is a good person trying to live their life as best they can. I may be wrong, but I refuse to accept the notion that America has gone to Hades in a handbasket.

As Walt Kelly in his comic strip “Pogo” once wrote, “We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities.” Yes, I know you thought I was going to say, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

Both quotes are applicable. We do live in a land of insurmountable opportunities, although there are countless opportunities that are not insurmountable. There are obstacles along every path to greatness. The challenge is to find a way around them. Americans are well-versed in innovation, perseverance and problem solving.

We are often our own worst enemy. By constantly harping on our weaknesses instead of attempting to fix our flaws, we fail to recognize that this is still a great nation, worthy of celebrating and preserving.

Not great any more? I disagree. We could be better, but this is still the best country for me.