I got the term “the America feeling” from Gretchen Rubin. It perfectly captures the patriotism + transcendence I feel when I have certain experiences. Like visiting Washington, D.C., which I’ve done many times, especially walking around the congressional office buildings. (How cool is it to stroll past office suites marked “North Dakota,” “Louisiana,” and “Texas” and watch mysterious and official-looking people moving briskly in and out?) I get the America feeling when I vote, when I’m at passport control in New York after an international flight, when I’m at a school assembly and the whole room stands up to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. I get the America feeling watching clips of the NASA launch. And I always get the America feeling on the Fourth of July.
Whether or not you’re doing anything to mark the occasion this weekend (admittedly a tricky calendar this year), here’s wishing you Happy Independence Day. Now more than ever, I’m focusing on gratitude and respect for this benevolent host country and for the people who are willing to serve in order to protect freedom for all.
To the U.S. of A.!
P.S. Reminder to complete the 2020 census ($800 billion of funding for services and infrastructure projects is allocated based on this data) and to register to vote if you haven’t already.
