America, America

It has been an eventful and emotional few weeks for our country. My heart has been stretched in so many different directions, and, however you feel about any of it, I'm sure yours has too.

In the midst of huge events, life has gone on, most notably in the lives of a few friends. One baby was born and another passed away. Tiny blips on the radar of the "grand scheme of things" but utterly life-altering for the handful of people at the epicenter of each.

I've been reminded a lot lately of the day of the Boston Marathon bombing two years ago. That day changed me forever in ways that I'm still beginning to uncover.

That was the day Margot was born.

And so it goes. Tragedy and joy ebb and flow. One family celebrates while another weeps, and life goes on.

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I think of this big, beautiful country of ours and think how truly grateful I am to live here. It's not perfect. In many ways it's a hot mess. But I love it. Because here are good people who work hard to fight evil and injustice. Here is endless optimism and hope that tomorrow will be kinder. Here is freedom and passion and endless potential for growth.

Here is my home. Here is my heart.

This weekend I hope you eat too much barbecue and watermelon and red-white-and-blue desserts, I hope you get to love on your friends and neighbors and family, but most especially I hope you remember that America, for all her struggles and flaws, is beautiful.

Oh, beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.