RSSI am America
Carolyn Hileman | July 5, 2009
I am America
Written by: Carolyn Hileman
I am the woman who cleans the floors at those big offices, each night I clean it until it shines, I am the mechanic who tunes up your car, fixes your flats and tells you what rattles are ok. I am the guy who digs the ditches, so the water will flow off the parking lot, as it should. I am the single mother who works three jobs to feed and house my children, there are times they see their baby sitter more than me. I have slept in my car so as not to be late for work, all so I would not have to ask for help. I am the cop on the beat, I could have chosen another career that made more money. But I chose to protect my community. I am the soldier who fights for your freedom, I have never asked for anything in return, but your respect. I have seen my friends blown to pieces, seen more death and destruction, than most of you will ever see in your life. It is Ok, I chose this life so you would never have to see it.
I am the sacker at the grocery store, I am old and slow and I know I anger a lot of you. I used to be much faster, but age takes a lot out of you, I would be sitting at home enjoying retirement, but I can’t afford it. I am the man who paints your walls, the guy who cleans your sewer line, the woman who washes your clothes, the man who washes your car, I am an American. I have heard that if you do not have a big house, a great income you are somehow less of an American. Well if that is what it takes to be an American, a big house, nice clothes a fancy car. Then I guess I just won’t qualify.
You know it never occurred to me that you would have to meet a certain income level to be an American. I did not know that your big gigantic flags were anymore important than my little one. I never dreamed that having pride in what I have accomplished was silly and I needed to reach much higher to be an American. I thought being an American was a spirit, a never die attitude, a firm belief in the principles that make us a great nation. I suppose I was wrong, maybe we weren’t all created equals, because if we were no one would say you are less of an American.
You know I can’t help but think of September 11, 2001, and I have to wonder if there were other people in those buildings besides bankers and investors. I seem to remember that we lost a few janitors, elevator people, waiters and waitresses that day as well. So does that mean we should mourn their death less, does that mean they were less than American. It has been said that on that day everyone was American, No color, and no nationality, just Americans. America was born of men and women who worked in the fields and factories. The people who taught themselves a trade, and used it to feed their families, I don’t remember reading in the history books about any bankers, movie stars, singers, movie producers or investment counselors.
Yes, we all make choices, some choose to make a lot of money and look down on others. Some choose to make a lot of money, and use it to put people to work. Some choose to make less money, instead knowing they can be there for their families. And some choose to make less money in order to protect our country, our homes and our families. Some choose to teach our children, some couldn’t afford a choice. Some of these lesser Americans serve you breakfast, lunch or supper. Make your bed for you while you are on your vacation or business trips. Some of these lesser Americans are stopping that drunk driver from killing some innocent kids out for the summer using daddy’s car. Some of these lesser Americans are serving over seas, some of them won’t be coming home.
American has nothing to do with how much you make, it has a lot more to do with how big of a heart you have. It is the grandparents who have taken their grandchildren to raise, or taken in their entire family because daddy can’t find a job. It is the single working mother or father, the little old lady down the street. It is the cook, the cashier, the cab driver and the millionaire. America is a big mixture of all cultures, races and creeds, it is as colorful as the flag itself. It is the hope of the world, a foundation of freedom, it is based on equality and honesty. It is not a piece of paper that has famous signatures, yes they may have started America, but it was the people who fought for it. It was the people who made it strong. While that document served as a road map, it did not fight for our freedom, it did not build the cities and towns, it did not feed the many. And even though the writers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were very educated, it in no way made them any better than the soldier who fought so those documents could survive. For I think each and every one of them educated or not when they bled it was of the same color.
So let us each, no matter the race, creed or education be grateful that we are Americans. Let us not forget those who chose to protect us, for limited pay and benefits. For if they had not, who would have. If everyone strove to be rich, to have that big house on the hill. Where would we find the cooks, the cashiers, police, firemen, and soldiers? Who would make sure your room was nice and clean in the motels, who would serve your food? If not for these great Americans, humbling themselves to be our servants our country would not be protected. Our children would be want for education, there would be no one on the streets looking out for them when we are not there. Each person great or small makes a contribution to our great country, for it is the people who make us strong, we are the thread that holds the stars and stripes together on our beautiful flag. So let us each appreciate the sacrifices each one of us have made, for we all have made some form of sacrifice. Be it being away from your family in order to run your company or serve your country, for neither could survive without the other. We were all placed in this country by the divine will of God and for that we should all be thankful.
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