Over the last few days, I have read/seen many things about America’s 250th Birthday. I know for many of you, a country that is only 250 years old is a mere infant. But to me, it is my home, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

It feels like only yesterday that we were celebrating the bicentennial in 1976. Every little girl had a Holly Hobby doll and wanted to dress like Laura Ingalls Wilder. At school, we learned to quilt and use a butter churn.

It seems unreal that I can trace my family line back to the Mayflower and Plymouth Rock. Whereas my husband is only the second generation of his family born here.

I will leave you with a couple of my favorite patriotic songs:

Whether you like his politics or not, this song is still a classic.

This song always hits me in the feels.

AND FINALLY — My children and the combined choirs of Crystal Lake South High School singing The National Anthem (aka The Star Spangled Banner) at a Chicago White Sox Game in 2014. The quality is not great, but the memory of that night will be with me forever.