Today

When I was growing up I loved the "Today" song. Is that what it's really called? No. My brother can vouch that I'm notorious for naming songs based on the word or phrase I hear a lot. It's a Neil Diamond song. I believe it's called "America." I love the lyrics. Here they are:

Far
We've been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star

Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream

On the boats and on the planes
They're coming to America
Never looking back again
They're coming to America

Home, don't it seem so far away
Oh, we're traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm

Home, to a new and a shiny place
Make our bed, and we'll say our grace
Freedom's light burning warm
Freedom's light burning warm

Everywhere around the world
They're coming to America
Every time that flag's unfurled
They're coming to America

Got a dream to take them there
They're coming to America
Got a dream they've come to share
They're coming to America

They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
Today, today, today, today, today

My country 'tis of thee
Today
Sweet land of liberty
Today
Of thee I sing
Today
Of thee I sing
Today

So, why do I share a song that I'm sure most of you have never heard? Because I love our country. I love that I live in America. I love what our Founding Father's did to provide us the freedoms we have and what millions of others have done to help preserve our freedom. I wish things were politically different right now, but I don't want to get into a political discussion. I love the beauty that surrounds us.

Eight years ago, I was sitting in an 8:00 nursing class. I did not watch or listen to the TV or radio before I went. A fellow student walked in quite upset. I heard that something was happening in New York. Not until that class ended (which was a three hour class) did I start to find out what was happening. I went to devotional (which is held every Tuesday at BYU) and President Bateman explained some of what was happening. I had quite a few classes that day, and so I caught glimpses on the TV as I could. It was a surreal day. My heart hurt for the victims and their families.

Since that day, I have developed a strong sense of patriotism. I love our nation. I hope we don't let ourselves get trapped into letting go of our freedoms. I love America!