What I Want My Kids To Remember About America

Dear Kids,

You are the next leaders of our country. I love my country. I love the Founding Fathers. I love the freedom that America has stood for throughout it's history. Sadly enough, I see the greatness of our country falling into pieces all around me. I weep about it, knowing that you will have a very different experience in America than I grew up with.

With the 4th of July coming up there are some things I MUST tell you... I am compelled to write and declare.

To me, America is not just another 'nation in the world'... another 'type' of government. True America stands for FREEDOM. America came about because of inspiration from heaven that rested on the Founding Fathers. The men and women who gave everything to uphold the constitution throughout our history have not done it just for America, they have done it for the world. For the world to experience freedom, liberty and honor.

Men and women are capable of self-government.We are capable of doing powerfully good things with our right to choose and the freedom with which to act. There is a great evil in this world that is trying to take all of that away, a creeping destroyer who is slithering around the nations of the earth professing that governments have all the answers and socialism is the best way to live. But you must remember...

God GAVE you FREEDOM. God gave us these rights. The Lord planned it all so America could be the beacon of liberty and to achieve the purposes of the Lord throughout the world. Do NOT shrink for your liberty and your right to uphold the cause of TRUE freedom.

No matter what happens in Washington D.C., no matter how corrupt everything becomes around me, I am determined to teach you about the constitution and what it stands for. The next leaders of our nation are YOU.

Every father and mother must teach about our true America. We must teach about freedom, about the right for religion, the principles upon which this country was founded. I vow to not let the greatness of TRUE AMERICA be lost on your shoulders. I vow to teach you about liberty, freedom and honor. It is my sacred responsibility.

I love you,

Your Mom


P.S. These are the things I want you to remember about America, and my memories!

• Being American - there was no better moment to describe what 'Being American' meant than on September 12th, 2001. The day after the 9/11 attacks. It didn't matter what 'political aisle' you were on, we were all PROUD to be Americans. 
• 4th of July watermelon, fireworks, swimming in the river, camping, celebrations, reunions, programs...
• Singing songs like 'My Country Tis Of Thee' and having EVERYONE know the words around me. You will learn the words to all the patriotic songs. I will make sure of that.
• Saying prayer in groups, thanking the Lord for our country, our freedom and the hope for our future. 
• Everyone wearing red, white, and blue... holding the flag with honor and national pride. 
• Mom telling us stories about the Founding Fathers and what they went through. Stories about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams... So many stories to tell. You will know all those stories. Their memories will not be lost in this home!!
• Listening to 'Take Your Hat Off When The Flag Goes By' and other tapes. Dad teaching us how to respect the flag, how to hold the flag, how to fold the flag.
• Grandpa Connell telling us about his pride in his country that he fought in war for. His tears welling up in his eyes when he would tell his feelings and testimony about the sacrifices so many people have given for us to have the abundance and freedom we do.
• Waiting in anticipation for the spectacular night time fireworks show by the Snake River. Listening to the music and the stories told while watching the fireworks in the sky. 
• Dad sitting all of us down in the circle and asking us what we need to do to be better Americans. How we can be better neighbors, stand up for what is right, stand up for principles, and most of all stand up for God.
• Knowing that America was the place of hope for everyone in the world. Feeling security inside of the 'melting pot' America represented for all people.
• Having a neighborhood breakfast and the children of the neighborhood putting on a program and then decorating their bikes for a neighborhood parade. 
• Being in the city parade on various floats throughout my life, for my school, my church, my clubs... waving at the little kids who were looking at everything with amazed eyes.