Are People Proud To Be Americans?

I moved to the United States when I was 12.

I was born a citizen because of my father… but I had never stepped FOOT on American soil until we packed up everything and moved our entire lives to Indiana in 2002.

Despite leaving my home, my friends, my pets, all of my belongings, and everything I had known my entire life…I felt like the luckiest girl alive.

We landed in Chicago. The first “American” food I tried was a Little Debbie Nutty Buddy my aunt handed us as we loaded our belongings into the truck that came to pick us up.

I thought it was the food of the GODS. It still holds a special place in my patriotic heart.

I remember the first time I heard “Proud to be an American.”

My peers kinda joked around and swung their arms as they sang it. I cried.

Because I am. I am proud and BLESSED to be an American.

…it breaks my heart when people who are fortunate enough to have the same don’t realize what a true blessing it really is.

I’d like to mention that the first to say he WAS proud to be an American was also the first person in his family to be born in the US.

Sometimes it takes understanding what’s on the other side to appreciate what you’ve been given.

…and it’s heartbreaking.