Why I am proud

I have said before that I don't like to use my blog as a political platform because I don't think anybody cares about what I have to say politically. I believe in what I believe, and you believe in what you believe and that may or may not be the same thing. I will say, however, that yesterday was a beautiful day. I truly think even if you didn't vote for Obama, that the excitement, optimism and hope in the air was tangible. I haven't felt this way about America since post 9/11. I feel so connected to everyone, which is so how I felt after September 11th. I felt like one small part of such a huge tapestry of people, and today I feel no differently. Instead of focusing on the political, I want to tell you why I love living in America.
-I learned from a fairly early age, traveling outside the country that I was special and lucky to be an American. After traveling throughout Costa Rica at age 14 I realized that we have it SO much better than so much of the world and that has constantly been reaffirmed to me as I have traveled. I learned at that age that the simplest things are blessings: electricty, running water, HOT water are things that not everyone gets to have at the touch of their fingers.
-From spending my formative years in the Mormon church I was taught that I was chosen for this time for a reason. I still believe that. This is the choicest time to be alive and to witness the most beautiful (and conversely the ugliest) happenings in this world.
-I feel closest to God when I am in nature. There is so much spectacular beauty in this country. From the Oregon Coast, to the red rocks and arches in Southern Utah, to the snow covered mountains, to the lakes and rivers all over this country and the highest in my heart: Portland. Yesterday, driving over the Marquam bridge, on a sunny winter day, I was reminded that I love living here more than anywhere else. I truly think there is no greater place to live.
-I love that we live in a young country but we have so much tradition. I love to go to Washington DC and see so much history in one place.
-I love that we live in a place where we get to choose our leaders. I love that we have freedom and liberty and democracy. I can't imagine living in a place and not having those basic rights. I get to choose what I do for a living, who I marry, how many kids I can have, where I can go to school. And I can do it all while feeling sure that I won't be hurt over any of those decisions.
-I love the diversity we share here. I love to meet new people and hear their stories, and share my own, knowing that we all are better off by learning about each other. I did love in Obama's speech yesterday when he said that the patchwork of diversity that makes up this country is a strength, not a weakness. I couldn't agree more.
-I love living in a country where being a woman isn't scary or "wrong". I love that I can live up to my full potential and do anything that a man can do.
-Lastly, I love that we have so many faults as a young country, but that we can right those wrongs. We can go from a country that owns slaves to choosing a black man to hold the highest office a person can have, in only 150 years.
Somehow we lucked out. I don't know why I am so blessed to live here, but I am so glad I do. I wouldn't trade my citizenship for the world, and I love events that make me reflect on the blessing of being an American. I am so excited for what the future brings. I hope that we can continue to be strong and unified and roll up our sleeves and get to work. God bless the USA!