SMALL TOWN PARADE
Yesterday I had the pleasure of watching a small town parade in Ashland, NE. Every year the citizens of Ashland host a three day event to honor their town by blocking off streets, having a street dance, and one heck of a parade.
As I sat there I was amazed by the sense of community that these folks exhibited. Each organization that participated was damn proud to be there, from groups of cheerleaders to various Shrine clubs, to little kids sitting on the back of a flatbed throwing candy to the kids lining the street.
They were especially proud of the country we live in. American flags were everywhere. I felt that same pride this year, where last year I was a little disappointed in the way we were handling ourselves. We were in a different place last year, a dark and unsure place. But things feel like they’re starting to turn around. We’re showing the world a different face and the world seems to be responding. I know we’re still not safe from terrorists, and may never be, but at least we’re not alienating ourselves from countries who could be our friends.
This year, I feel proud to be an American again. And in a way I have the folks of Ashland to thank for reminding me of that. The smiles and waves from the people marching in the parade to the people smiling and waving from the curb gave me the feeling that in some places strangers really do care about one another. This is the America I want to belong to. I guess the trick is finding it. Luckily, I got a glimpse of it yesterday when I really wasn’t looking. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones you aren’t expecting.
July 25th, 2009 at 7:15 am
I agree completely. There are so many gifts we receive each day that may be overlooked because we get too caught up in the cycles of our day. When we take a moment to feel the breeze, notice how the light on the drive home makes everything orange and pink, or appreciate that driver who actually let us go in front of them instead of cutting us off, or hear the voices of the young ones in our lives that are only “asking” because that is how they gain knowledge about this world, not just to be annoying, we can truly get a sense of gratitude for the gifts we have been able to experience each day. No one is ever promised a tomorrow, and you are right, there ARE places left in this world where strangers really do care for one another.