Endless Opportunities

Patriotism is defined by Google as “the quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country”. But to me, it means so much more.

I will never understand the feeling of growing up in an unfair country. Worrying that your right will be taken away from you, leaving you with no freedom. I am fortunate that I have grown up in a country where I feel like I have freedom.

My parents did not grow up in this country. They immigrated from Poland in their early 20’s. They came to this country with nothing, only a few pieces of clothes of their own. They had to learn English, having to adapt to their new lifestyle. You may be wondering why they immigrated. They had opportunities in their hometown, but they knew that they could strive for more. When I mean for more, I mean that now they have gotten far in life, with good jobs that brought them happiness. theAlthough I would love growing up in Poland with my close family, I believe that America gave me endless opportunities that I could not imagine having in Europe.

Hearing their stories, I realized that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. America allowed me to believe in this saying.

I show respect for my country. I honor soldiers who have fought for my freedom that I have today. I do this by taking thirty seconds of my morning to stand with my right hand resting on my heart. Every year, there is a special day in July where I fly my country’s flag in the air to celebrate its independence. Flying the flag does not mean that I support everything that has happened in the past, but it means that I will still love this country even with its ups and downs. 

Everyday when I wake up, I am grateful that I am handed another day for my lungs to be filled with American air.

When I think of patriotism, I do not think of America as picture perfect, but I will forever be grateful for this country.