Today, 250 years ago our country was born by adoption and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This document was drafted by Thomas Jefferson who looked across the Atlantic Ocean to the philosophers of John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. These two philosophers influenced what has been called the Age of Enlightenment.
Those who signed this incredible document began an experiment in a human society where “we the people” would govern without a monarch while still maintaining and protecting individual liberties.
Today this American experiment continues. From those initial efforts just 250 years ago, we have witnessed incredible results for such a young Republic from medicine to science to technology.
Even though I was born 175 years after the drafting, adoption and signing of this founding document and I am a woman, I still appreciate what our founding fathers saw at that time. The words "to create a more perfect union" revealed the insight of our founding fathers who understood that they were not perfect.
A Child of Immigrants
Like many others, I, too, am a child of immigrants. My Swedish grandparents and family legally immigrated to the US in the early 1920’s and settled in a farming community in NW Wisconsin. On my mother’s side, her ancestors were also farmers with German and English roots. Genealogy traced my mother’s mother’s family to the third ship that sailed after the Mayflower from England.
Even though I was born in Chicago, IL, my parents moved to Hammond, IN shortly after I was born. I lived in Hammond, IN until my early 30’s when as a single parent I had a home built for my daughter and myself in the outskirts of Valparaiso, IN.
What Does America Mean to Me as a Child of Immigrants?
Growing up I saw the American dream through the eyes of my Swedish grandparents. When folks have a plan, a vision, are dedicated to hard work, are committed to realizing their own potential, prosperity happens. Where else can a single mother back in the 1980’s have a home built in a rural suburban community?
I learned so much about the greatness of America from my Swedish grandparents. Life in Sweden back then was hard and without much upper mobility. As a teenager who traveled twice to New York city to work, my Swedish grandmother was a visionary and it was her vision and mission to immigrate to this county, the land of opportunity and liberty.
Their journey of immigration was 20 years in the making. As my grandmother was indeed a force of nature, she planned, skimped and saved while giving birth to five children. She sent her unmarried brother, Gus, to America to become her sponsor.
My Great Uncle Gus bought a farm in NW WI, learned English and then sponsored my grandparents and their children. As I have written before, many do not know how expensive it was to travel from Europe and to legally enter this country.
Countless Opportunities Forged by Blood and Dedication
The opportunities America has provided have come through the blood, sweat and tears from those who dedicated their lives to protect us and keep this country free. My father was a WWII Amy veteran who received extensive injuries from the Battle of Leyte. He spent 2 years in an Army hospital recovering from those wounds. His older brother volunteered as a Marine in WWII and thankfully was not injured. My mother’s father was a WWII Army veteran and retired as a Master Sargent.
Fast forward, my husband, an Army Veteran, volunteered during the Vietnam conflict and our son was a Navy Veteran. I am eternally grateful for all of their sacrifices and the sacrifices of those before and those yet to come.
The Value of Freedom and Gratitude
For me, I believe liberty is our greatest freedom. As Patrick Henry is quote “Give me liberty or give me death.” Thankfully I have never been in that situation.
As one ages, there are many moments of gratitude. Today, I am beyond grateful that God works in mysterious ways. Buying our home here in NW AZ was one of those mysterious ways. Having the best husband and daughter probably tops my list of gratitudes. I am indeed beyond blessed with having them both in my life. Making new friends here is another blessing.
Golden Valley, Mohave County, NW AZ, A Special Place
Moving here to Golden Valley has been the best joint decision my husband and I have ever made. Our families thought we were nuts moving at our ages. Yet, I saw how the culture of NW IN was changing my husband who is a Constitutionalist.
Golden Valley, AZ is nestled between three (3) mountain ranges: The Black Mountains to the West, the Hualapai Mountains to the East and the Cerbat Mountains to the North. This over 300 square mile valley earned its name from the golden poppies that bloom in the spring. Yes, Golden Valley is America the Beautiful.
We live in a very friendly community. Neighbors will stop by and just see how you are doing without being “in your business.” People, as they are driving down the road, wave usually at complete strangers.
NW AZ, Mohave County is one of the last vestiges of the Wild West. Being able to see open range cattle from our great room as well as occasionally some wild burros makes me appreciate what those early settlers experienced. Gazing at the Black Mountains, I think about the difficulty these adventurous, liberty seeking individual experienced crossing the western states. To look at the high desert and these mountain ranges one can truly be in awe of those early settlers who sought their own American Dream.
4th of July Favorite Memory Childhood Memory
Returning to my childhood, we lived about a block away from a local country club that celebrated the 4th of July with fireworks. My family and the next door neighbors would climb onto the roofs of our ranch homes. We could hear all the Oos and Ahs as the fireworks burst overhead.
4th of July Favorite Memory Adult Memory
Later as an adult, my daughter and I had the opportunity to sit near the Petrillo Bandshell in Chicago, IL and watch the most amazing fireworks being shot from a barge in Lake Michigan.
4th of July Favorite Memory Adult Memory to Come
Now my new favorite memory will be enjoying a pig roast with all the trimmings this afternoon at our American Legion Post 22 here in Golden Valley, AZ. This local post is full of wonderful people who share the same values embolden in our Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. We have invited our “new neighbors” to join us in this festive event.
Thanks to Kathy Streib and Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Real Estate Svcs. for hosting the July 2026 monthly challenge and asking for this final sentence.
I’m proud to be an American because America still remains after 250 years the greatest experiment in ensuring personal liberty as well as allowing each of us to seek our own prosperity ~ The American Dream
P.S. Please consider checking out my Facebook business page, The Grit and Gratitude Agent that will focus on the Dirt Roads in Mohave County as well local real estate, lots of dirt or vacant land parcels as some of the local attractions.
#LetsGetBackToRealConversations #WeDoThingsDifferently #BuyerEducation #RealEstateGuidance #LandOfferPocess #ArizonaRealEstate #TheHelpfulAgent #GoldenValleyAZHomesAndLand #KingmanHomesAndLand
Leanne M Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent Who Goes the Extra Mile Because Life Begins Where the Pavement Ends.
Feature Photo Courtesy of Leanne M Smith
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