Why I Love the USA - Barb - Church, Veteran Dad, and Teary-Eyed When Singing God Bless America

Barb is my mother-in-law. One thing that stands out about her is that she is practical, caring, and strong. As an example, she worked as a hospice nurse for a while, a job that can break the heart of even the strongest people since, no matter how hard you try, patients don’t get better. The best you can do is make them feel comfortable until they pass away. 

That job did break Barb’s heart often. In her place, I would have closed my heart a little to protect myself from getting hurt again. That’s not what she did though. She kept giving her best care, felt emotional when patients passed away, then came home, put her work emotions away, and became fully present for us, her family.  

Other things to know about Barb are that she is very active and enjoys walking, riding her bike, or exercising every day. She likes sewing and, when my daughters were younger, she sewed for them old-fashioned dresses that often made passersby smile and make beautiful comments. She loves being with family. She’s the kind of grandma that spoils her grandkids, dances with them, goes on rollercoasters with them, and consistently has them over for sleepovers. 

She makes perfect apple pies and, according to the grandkids, she makes the best goulash.

When I asked Barb why she loves America, this is what she had to say.

“I love America for so many reasons, but the one that stands out the most is being able to go to church and read my bible in public. I raised my children in church, and now all my grandchildren go, which I’m thankful for. My dad was a veteran and taught me, a young girl, to be proud of where we live. To this day, when I sing God Bless America and say the pledge of allegiance, I get teary-eyed and thankful to be living in such a great country as America.”

Thank you, Barb, for sharing, and thank you, all, for reading. I wish you a wonderful day in our beautiful USA. ❤️