Thing one: in all honesty, I'm not feeling particularly patriotic for this celebration of 250 years of the United States of America. I was 10 years old for the Bicentennial and remember how festive it was--the nation, my community, my school--it was everywhere and exciting; a genuine celebration. This time, it's almost trepidation.
Thing two: having written thing one, I'm now feeling guilty. I mean, I teach American history to high school students, a profession that I love dearly, that makes me feel patriotic daily, yet I'm not into this celebration. Oh, the guilt. (I'm a recovering Catholic; the guilt remains.)
Thing three: we had hoped to visit Colonial Williamsburg and Mount Vernon while I am here in Virginia; however, my brother-in-law's father is hospitalized, so I insisted we cancel. Those historic sites are not going anywhere; there's always next year. This trip to Virginia has been relaxing and rejuvenating. And has reminded me that central air conditioning is a blessing.
1 comment:
I feel this post. I'm not very into America 250 and I, too, feel very sad about that. I remember 200 and it was all joy, but this! So, like you, I'm looking to America's history for a pick-me-up. I'm watching a docuseries on FDR right now (I should learn more about him) and am following with JFK and Abe. I need to believe in POTUS's who are about more than bitcoin. PS I long to go back to Williamsburg. Maybe it's that same emotion that's tugging at my heart.
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