Why I Love the USA - Bella - Our Country Means So Much to So Many People

Bella is my youngest daughter. She’s a sixteen-year old going through the insecurities and existential questioning typical of this age, and it’s impressive to see how well she handles those challenges. She’s a perfect combination of self-doubt and self-confidence, of selflessness and selfishness, of saying “yes” when others need her help and saying “no” when she needs time on her own. 

She’s respectful and kind. She’s an incredible artist. She spends countless hours drawing, and her artwork is one of the things that can put a smile in my heart almost anytime.

She wants to be an actress, but wonders if that’s the right career for her since she also wants to marry and have children in the near, but not very near, future. She thinks acting would take her away from family, and she doesn’t want that. 

She sometimes gets discouraged or depressed when the world seems to get too reckless and too violent, but she manages to get out of the down moods and to keep dreaming of, planning for, and working towards a beautiful future.

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

“I don’t always feel that America is a super great palace, like everyone says, but some fundamental things about it ARE great. There will always be people who will fight for those fundamentals and for America, which I find comforting. And it really is a place with so many opportunities. You can really do whatever you want and still succeed. It’s definitely not a perfect country, but people can feel proud just for being American, so that’s got to say something. It says that our country means so much to so many people. That people care about the fundamentals that America is built on.”

I asked her what some of those fundamentals were. She said, “Freedom. That’s probably the biggest one. Everyone having the same opportunities and chances. That’s another one.”

I waited to see if there was anything else she wanted to add, but she was ready to get back to her artwork and to getting ready for an upcoming trip.

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