Well then, God bless America! And you, too!
With disappointments, shortcomings and imperfections all around, I was starting to mope into the 4th of July celebration. Then I remembered an antidote.
DES MOINES, Iowa – There’s this club I’m a longtime member of, and we have a tried-and-true way to get better when we think things aren’t going our way.
“Make a gratitude list,” one of our veteran members will bark at a whining newcomer (or at another veteran).
And, OMG, it works!
This past week did not go the way many in America and Iowa wanted. You don’t need me to recap it all. What you need from me is my gratitude list, and a little encouragement for you to sit down and make your own.
What am I grateful for, in this holiday week?
Baseball in the summertime, in Bancroft, Iowa, in 2017.
Freedom.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
The United States of America.
Occasional game-changing elections, like those of Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama.
That the country healed, at least in theory, after the Civil War.
The abolition of slavery.
Baseball.
Equal rights for all, at least in theory and print, if not always in reality.
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Democracy.
The right to vote.
Being a nation of immigrants. And re-becoming that now.
Diversity.
Social Security.
The U.S. military, and the ways it has often mandated and led social change in our country, besides protecting us and defending the oppressed.
The “GI Bill,” which made higher education possible for so many.
The liberal arts.
Freedom of the press.
The internet and, perhaps, artificial intelligence.
Most farmers.
Music – especially classical to country to bluegrass to rock’n’roll.
Poetry.
All who interpret our world in paintings, sculptures and carvings.
Freedom of religion.
Freedom from religion.
Churches, all kinds.
Separation of church and state.
“Pride” weeks.
Medicare.
Medicaid.
All those in healthcare.
Alcoholics Anonymous.
Bicycles.
Agreeing to differ.
Resolving to love.
Uniting to serve.
Acceptance, tolerance, patience – even though they’re hard.
Pie.
“Life is good,” T-shirts sometimes say. You know, it’s real good! And I’m just glad to be here.
Bring-on the rest of it.
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A NOTE TO MY READERS: I write my “Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger” columns here as a member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, which is led by Julie Gammack, of Des Moines. In less than two years, our group has grown to more than 50 professional journalists. We are spread across Iowa and write on a wide variety of topics, but all share a deep interest in life in this state. You can become free subscribers on Substack and read us without cost, but if you enjoy our work, I encourage you to become a paid subscriber at whatever level you’re comfortable.
Here’s our line-up:
Every item on your list is right
Unfortunately, if you were born in the United States, you’ll not know the following or be vaguely familiar with the items I am about to list
I was born in India and became a very successful lawyer. Still, there was this nagging thought I must come to USA. I knew I had to give up my lucrative law practice and start from scratch in a new land. Yet, nothing deterred me to move here and then bring my wife and 2 young kids.
Only those who are sitting far away would know what magic America holds.
That attraction comes from something that cannot be described, but it is very real and exists.
Take it from me!!
What a great list Chuck. Thanks for reminding us. Now if we can all try to follow through.