Celebrating the 250th Birthday of America the Beautiful
This is my entry to the ActiveRain Challenge, Celebrating the 250th Birthday of America the Beautiful, hosted by Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Real Estate Svcs., and Kathy Streib.
I was born and raised right here in the USA. In fact, I grew up in Philadelphia, PA—home of the Liberty Bell, the birthplace of Betsy Ross (who made the first American flag), and the historic city where the Declaration of Independence was signed. This year, we proudly celebrated the 250th anniversary of that historic signing.
When I was growing up, my father and I used to talk around the kitchen table. I would ask, "Dad, what nationality are we?" He would always answer, "We are Americans." I would press further, "No, Daddy, look at the other kids at school. Some are Italian, others are German, and some are Irish. What are we?"
Dad would always look at me and give the exact same answer:
"WE ARE AMERICANS."
When you think about it, he was right. Let us all be truthful: no one, except for the American Indians, originally originated in America. Everyone came from somewhere else. We truly are the melting pot of the world.
My own grandparents came to this country in the 1890s from Belarus. My father was born here, grew up to receive a football scholarship to college, and was the youngest of six children. He later left college to marry my mother, Ada. Mom had a difficult start; she was orphaned at just 12 years old and lived at the Rebecca Gratz home with her sister Lillian until she was old enough to work and support herself. My father worked hard because he wanted to support my grandmother, Hannah—after whom I am named.
(Below is a picture of my Dad)
I was raised to be a proud American, and I truly am. There is no other country in the world I would rather live in. I grew up in a wonderful time and have been blessed with fantastic opportunities and memories. I raised two beautiful children here, and now I have four wonderful grandchildren and have made fantastic friendships.
Where else in this wide world could you find the kind of freedom we enjoy every day in the great USA?
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