Happy Birthday Old Lady
She has seen it all through her many years. She has wavered a little but always came out stronger than ever. The old gal continues to be the role model that we should all emulate.
It’s hard to believe she’s this old. Regardless of the circumstances, she stands tall and proud.
She was born when a small group of men, united together and said “hold my beer” cause we ain’t taking this anymore. Through the years, thousands have given the ultimate sacrifice so we can have the freedom to live as we please. She has given us the right to express ourselves, if it doesn’t interfere with someone else’s freedom.
She survived and was even strengthened though conflict that was much greater than just disagreeing on the public square. The Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam, and the Middle East Conflict. To say that she is a winner would be an understatement.
She survived segregation, a crashing stock market, polio, Covid, assassinations, failed assassinations, Watergate, impeachments, hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, floods, and September 11th.
She celebrated a man on the moon, civil rights equalization, self-driving cars, voting rights for everyone regardless of race or sex, changes in communication from pen and paper to computers which can write an entire document in a matter of seconds.
She stood tall and never blinked as she observed questionable life changes: the designated hitter, sweet cornbread, soccer, kudzu, aluminum bats, Edsels, C-paps, colonoscopies, and 18 teams in the Big 10.
She has nurtured and changed her people. She saw her Black friends go from the disgrace of slavery to having a Black man elected President. She watched women go from the status of second-class citizens to having the right to vote and advance to being the CEO of numerous corporations. She saw girls being given the same right to participate in athletics as their male counterparts.
She is proud to say unapologetically that foreigners will do everything in their power, legally and illegally, to get through her borders. She remains puzzled by her citizens who complain about her rules but can’t name another place that has it better.
Yes, she has her problems but as Dr. King sang “We shall overcome.”
As long as she exists, we will stand tall, remove our caps, place our right hand over our heart, as soon as we hear those 5 enlightening words “O say can you see?” When Old Glory is displayed, we thank God for the red, white and blue. Because of her, we can pray anywhere we please without fear of retribution.
It’s hard to believe that she will be 250 years old tomorrow. We continue to thank God each and every day not only for OUR health and welfare but more for YOURS, old girl.
Happy birthday, Miss United States of America.
Like wine, you get better with age.