Happy Birthday America!

Dear Brixton,

You are an American.  What does it mean to be an American?  The answer isn't easy, but that's part of being an American.  We are the original melting pot.  The place were people come to, people from all over the world.  America is somewhere where you can go to a restaurant and see all kinds of different people enjoying a meal. You hear a lot of different languages spoken in America.  Many people only speak English, but this is changing.  I think a lot of Americans speak another language too..be it Spanish, German, French, Arabic or Chinese.  

Being an American doesn't need to mean being ignorant (an often true stereotype).  It means opportunity to learn.  To explore this vast land and its numerous landscapes.  To talk to someone different from you and ask about them.  To travel to other countries sans fanny pack, university t-shirt and white sneakers (another American stereotype).  

America is a paradox.  We love our freedom and rights and apply them to everything humanly possible, yet we don't seem to vote for politicians (on either side...and as an American, you might wonder why we only get two choices) that don't seem interested in protecting them.  We are so large in size and population, but still so small minded when it comes to certain things.  We have access to healthy, smart diets, but make bad choices..leading to our obese status. Being an American means ordering hot coffee, spilling it on yourself and then suing because it was too hot.

One day you will notice other countries don't make war movies like we do.  We love our military.  We are a military country, something seen as dangerous in other countries, but patriotic here.  Please don't join.  (I don't want to worry about you!)

Even with her faults, we should love our country and take pride in her.  America has a lot of potential. 

Another year older, not much wiser..happy birthday America..

Love,

Mommy