Julie
Julie Bellevue, WA

Tradition plays into the American fabric. Benjamin Franklin reached out to each of our founding fathers, when they were writing the documents that this nation is built on. In their quiet reflection, those men began to understand that in order for freedom to truly reign in a country, people have to let love lead through listening. I worked my way through college. That was the beginning of my American dream - an education.

But years later, I had a daughter who was born with genetic disorder. It was in the care for her that I found my sincerest love for my country. There is no perfect place on earth, but America gave my daughter the chance for a fulfilling life through the dignity of counting. She has learned to read. She has learned to work. People who interact with her must be patient, and it may not be everyone’s gift, but there are people patient enough to give her a chance. She counts here. Instead of being discarded as inferior or unwanted by society. America showed my daughter love.

We have to weave understanding back into our hearts. We have to say what we want to say in love. Everyone thinks they are right, and we can’t all be right. But hatred fuels the fire of division. If we don’t show love, the traditions this country was built on will die.

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