AMERICA, THE VISION

Carl Sandburg once wrote, "I see America, not in the setting of the sun of a black night of despair ahead of us. I see America in the crimson light of a rising sun, fresh from the burning, creative hand of God. I see great days ahead, great days possible to men and women of will and vision."

I, too, see America in "the crimson light of a rising sun." I see America as a land where precious freedoms are preserved through the united efforts of honest men and women. I see America ripe with opportunities where those with great expectations and enterprise may take flight; where those willing to work hard and to be inventive may achieve their vision; where dreamers and visionaries lively with imagination may reap the reward of abundant success. I see a land where individual rights are protected and where individual voices may be heard. I see a land rich in optimism and a land enveloped with hope.

Sadly, I also see America filled with elements of despair. I sometimes see America as a land where those in high places with their swanky suits and high-priced ideas, corrupt and self-serving, a cancer to society, flourish at the expense of the common man. I sometimes see America where greed is common and honesty is rare. I sometimes see America where the eyes of indifference turn away from poverty, neglect, and abuse. America is an interesting contrast of "blight or bright;" and where you live, in your neighborhood, or in your mind, dictates the America that you see.

And yet, and yet...

I know it is a land which can be filled with exceptional goodness. It is a land which can be filled with high morals and values. It is a land where freedoms reign supreme and where patriotism runs deep.

As a school girl, I had the unique privilege of having those precious feelings of patriotism embedded deep within my heart. At the old Sandy Elementary School, a patriotic devotional was held faithfully each morning. I loved the devotional and held it with the greatest of respect. Each day, it began with a magnificent rendition of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."

"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored, He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible, swift sword; His truth is marching on...."

And then the teacher would say, "Class, please stand to recite the Pledge of Allegiance." Standing at attention with hands over heart, the Pledge would be recited. Eloquent, meaningful words of Abraham Lincoln then followed; and finally a prayer was given. It was simple, yet powerful, and most memorable.

Thoughts of patriotism and thankfulness course through my mind at the very sight of the American flag. The opening cords of the National Anthem will cause emotional feelings to well up within my bosom. How blessed we are as a nation to have the right to stand tall with the conviction to do good and to have the ability to make a difference. How blessed we are to have the right to choose good over evil. How blessed we are to have a nation founded by our forefathers whose ideals, purposes, and design aligned with Deity. Yes, I embrace the thoughts of Carl Sandburg that we are, indeed, a blessed nation where we may "see America in the crimson light of a rising, sun, fresh from the burning, creative hand of God."