8/26/2015

D.C. cab driver’s outlook a reminder of America’s greatness

   The month of July has always been a favorite of mine. When I was young, it meant the middle of summer. I was out of school, usually on the lake and, of course, Independence Day!  The day we celebrate our nation’s birthday with grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, BBQ, homemade ice cream and fireworks. What a party. However, I wonder if sometimes we have gotten so used to our freedoms that we take our country for granted.
    Recently, I was in Washington, D.C., and caught a cab to the airport to head home. My driver was a young man, maybe early thirties. A very talkative and happy fellow. He told me he was from Africa and had moved his wife and family to America. He had four children, two of them born in the USA.
    He was so happy about being in America and the opportunities it affords his family. He spoke of the education his children were receiving—even the girls, he added. I thought this was strange until he told me that in his African village, girls were not allowed to go to school.
    The taxi was a new Toyota Prius. He must have told me 15 times, during a 20-minute trip, that this was his car and he had purchased it. “God bless America,” he said at the conclusion of almost every sentence. The joy in his eyes and voice was very genuine.
    He told me he and his wife had been studying and were almost American citizens. He then proceeded to tell me the first five American presidents, when the Constitution was signed, how many original states there were and their names! Most of our high schoolers couldn’t do that.
    I asked him if his wife is as enthusiastic as he is about becoming an American, and if she ever missed home. He quickly told me that America is their home and that women were treated poorly in his village. He and his wife decided they wanted their daughters raised in a better place, and he wanted a home where his wife would be his partner, not his property. He told me women have so many more opportunities in America than where he was born.
    When we arrived at the airport, he quickly jumped out of the car and gathered my belongings from the trunk. He handed them to me at the curb with a smile and said, “Have a blessed day and God bless America.”
    I nodded and watched him drive away before making my way into the terminal and to my gate to await departure. As I sat there, I opened the morning paper and read one article after another about how bad my country is. The economy is flat, Democrats want to tax, Republicans want to cut, the deficit is growing, the country is on the verge of a meltdown!
    I sat down my paper and thought about my taxi driver. How happy he was because he was about to be an American and he now lived in a country where your dreams are achievable, if you are willing to work for them.
    Regardless of what problems we think we have in this country, to hundreds of millions of people America is a beacon of freedom, hope and opportunity. So as we sit down with friends and family to celebrate our Independence Day, let us give thanks that we are able to call the United States of America our home.
    God bless America!

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