I was not born in America. I spent my first 50 years living in another country. This country has been my home for only two years.
Does that give me the right to tell you why I love America? Why I believe it to be good and beautiful and worth defending?
I believe you, the American people, have welcomed me here and given me that right. Made me feel at home. Given me almost all the rights and responsibilities that a U.S. citizen carries. Allowed me to buy a home, find work, enjoy your culture. In return, I contribute to the diversity of this great country through sharing my own experiences and values, which are also welcomed and embraced. Together, we live side by side in acceptance.
I was lucky to come from a great country. I believe I have come to a better one. Growing up in England, I thought that America was a land of fairy tales. Indeed, in many ways, it literally is, with its world-class attractions such as Walt Disney and Universal. Those living in England yearn to visit here. For a family of four, as we were, it is often a once-in-a-lifetime trip, costing many thousands of hard-earned British pounds.
What do we English love about America?
It is diverse. Every state is like a small country of its own, with different scenery, cultures, laws, lifestyles, and food. It is so easy to travel around, experiencing all the sights this country has to offer, with a domestic flight as simple as a bus ride and those endless roads connecting one end of the country to another.
It is plentiful. Gas is cheap. Food is abundant. Accommodation is everywhere and good value. Infrastructure is good. There is choice in everything. So much choice it can be bewildering. From coffee menus to choice of toppings on your hot dogs, it can all be tailored to suit just you. No one-size-fits-all approach here. It’s all about individual choice and flexibility.
It is respectful. I have never experienced the ongoing and genuine recognition that is given to those who have served in the military for this country. It might be designated parking at a local store, a free breakfast on a special day, a price discount every time you shop, or a special day celebrated by the nation. This respect is unique and heart-warming.
It is patriotic. To travel anywhere and see those Stars and Stripes displayed so proudly is humbling, a visual reminder, on both large businesses and small homes, of where we are and who we are. It still takes my breath away.
It is service-minded. Those who serve, whether in a simple diner or in the military, make life good for us. They might be defending this country so we can rest easy at night, or serving the perfect cup of coffee made just for you. Service is always willing and with a smile.
It is liberating. My recent return visit to England reminded me how oppressive it had become. Traffic speed cameras everywhere. Restricted parking everywhere, with signs posting penalties for any infringement. It has become a society set on catching bad behavior and punishing it. I do not experience that here.
But a great country is nothing without its people. Throughout the passage of time, from the early Pilgrims to the citizens of today, every individual who has touched this soil has made a mark. Every thought, every action, every soul has made its own contribution to the society we are in today, including me in my own small way and in such a short time.
Why do you love America? What makes it worth celebrating? What moves you about the people and places that make up our country? Tell us in a personal essay of about 600 to 800 words. We welcome you to send your submission to: [email protected]
This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
