We really are babies.
A few weeks ago, I was walking through Portugal and Spain, surrounded by history that stretches back hundreds and even thousands of years. In Lisbon, I learned about the devastating earthquake and tsunami that leveled the city in 1755. As I listened to stories of destruction and rebuilding, one thought kept coming to mind: all of this happened before America was even born.
Our nation is only 250 years old. By comparison, we are still in our infancy….a mere babie to many parts of the world.
Our Shared Story
My mom’s family came over on the Mayflower, and she loved being a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was proud of our family’s lineage and often talked about the history and struggles that her ancestors endured to come to this country.
Her pride was never really about genealogy. Instead, it was rooted in courage, sacrifice, and the determination of people who left everything they knew in the hope of building something better.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that this is our shared story as Americans. Every one of us came from somewhere. Whether our families arrived on the Mayflower, crossed an ocean generations later, came through Ellis Island, (like my husband’s grandfather) journeyed from neighboring countries, or arrived only recently, we all share a common thread.
A mother or father made a difficult choice. A family sacrificed for the next generation. Somewhere along the way, someone held onto hope despite uncertainty. Today we call it resilience. In the late 1700s, it was simply survival.
Built by Resilient People
There is much discussion these days about cellular memory and whether we carry the experiences of our ancestors in our genes. I am certainly no scientist. However, I do believe there is something uniquely American that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Part of our national character is toughness. Another piece is our willingness to work hard. Add a little grit and an unwillingness to accept “no,” and you have something that feels distinctly American.
Maybe that spirit comes from generations of people who had to adapt, rebuild, persevere, and begin again.
After all, this country was built by people who believed tomorrow could be better than today. They worked the land, started businesses, raised families, fought wars, and built communities. Through every challenge, Americans somehow found ways to keep moving forward. That determination still lives within us. I love that about being American.
The American Spirit
People around the world may see us as less refined or even a little rude. Yet I think they sometimes misunderstand us. Americans simply expect things to get done.
When we see a problem, we look for solutions. Faced with obstacles, we usually ask, “How can we make this work?” Presented with an impossible idea, many of us instinctively wonder if it might actually be possible.
That attitude has shaped our nation and, in many ways, the world. We have become known for our creativity, our entrepreneurial spirit, our willingness to innovate, and our belief that impossible things can become reality.
This is the country that put a man on the moon. It is also the nation that created countless inventions, built extraordinary businesses, and inspired movements that changed lives around the globe. Of course, we don’t always get it right. No family does, and no country does either. Nevertheless, we keep trying, learning, and moving forward.
That, too, is part of our story.
We Are Just Getting Started
This Fourth of July is about more than fireworks, barbecues, and birthday cake. It is an opportunity to pause and celebrate what we have built together over these last 250 years. Even more important, it is a chance to remember who we are.
At our core, we are descendants of dreamers and doers. Behind us stand generations of people who sacrificed tremendously. Ahead of us lies endless possibility if we are willing to work together. Perhaps the most exciting part is that we are still young.
At 250 years old, America is just getting started.
The next chapter of our story is still being written, and it belongs to all of us. Therefore, our task is to keep coming together, remember where we came from, and decide where we want to go.
If our first 250 years have taught us anything, it is this: Americans are resilient. We are builders, problem-solvers, and people who believe tomorrow can be better than today. Most of all, when we come together with a common purpose, there is very little we cannot accomplish.
After all, if we can put a man on the moon, imagine what we can do next?
Happy 250th Birthday, America. The best is yet to come.
CHARITY MATTERS.
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