Feasible Fairytale: April 2013

It has been WAY too long since I have posted. But if you've read my blog at all you know that this is a tool that I use as a much more affordable mode of therapy. So my absence simply alludes to the calmness that I've been surrounded by lately.......... OR that I've been so very very busy the past few months that 'Oh, I need to blog about this' hasn't even been in question in the midst of the whirl wind life I'm living in these days. I'll let you decide which caused my hiatus, but either way - I'm back!

In the wake of another tragedy in the USA, I'm back to explain an idea that I think many Americans share. The idea of defining Patriotism.

Now. I'm no Toby Keith. I don't own American flag ball caps and honestly, I'm not sure I fully understand the gravity of the true meaning of Independence Day. I enjoy a good hot dog. I love fireworks. I worship freely and understand that many countries don't. I have friends in the military that have served in war zones. I am married to a United States Sailor, who served as a reservist for 3 years. I understand that our country's foundations are being challenged. I voted. I pray for our President. I am proud to be an American.

Buuuut I've never been comfortable showing it.

How do you 'show it'? To be patriotic do I have to sport a flag sticker on my car window? Do I have to wear tiny 'God Bless America' pins to my clothes everyday? Or is it enough that I become absolutely ENRAGED, SICK, & SADDENED when terrorism of any kind (foreign or domestic) messes with any other state in my country?

I felt physical pain when terrorism hit a Colorado movie theater recently, and a High School years before. I was in tears for days when I saw news reports about the Sandy Hook Elementary Massacre. When I think back to the morning I went to school on September 11th, 2001, to hear and see TV's in every class room with images of New York under attack, it still puts a lump in my throat. Is that Patriotism?

It's happened again. Terrorism has hit my country. Boston, with other states and countries with residents in attendance, are healing from loss and tragedy from a day set aside for the celebration of Patriotism. It made me realize that what they were celebrating has never really been understood by myself and, if I were to guess, many Americans like me. We eat our hot dogs we wear our red, white, and blue, and put our hand over our heart during the Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance, but if you're like me, you never really embraced the Patriotism behind it.

Don't worry, you're not going to start seeing me reenacting war scenes in my back yard or waving a flag on the side of the road singing the National Anthem, but I will stand up today and declare proudly that America is a country that CANNOT BE BROKEN BY EVIL. People and organizations will try - but I think it's safe to say, that if you mess with one of us - you mess with all of us. That is Patriotism. The truth is that in times like this - sexual orientation, gun laws, and politics disappear - while our county rallies together to protect and pray for our own. That is Patriotism.

So if you're reading this and have never considered yourself 'patriotic' like I had, remember that it doesn't take a guns-a-blazin' country song, a sequin red, white, and blue vest, or a history book collection to embrace the love for the country we live in. I hope you too, will see the blessings we're given by a country we often take for granted and stand united during, yet again, another tragedy our country is facing. A little patriotism goes far. Thank you Boston for reminding me.