“Look mom, it’s the American flag of the United States of America!” My five-year-old daughter said from the back seat for the seventh time. “Wow, you’ve noticed every flag we’ve passed,” I responded. “I know that you really love the American flag of the United States of America and I didn’t want you to miss it,” she answered back.

I love that in the United States we can travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans (and all the way to Hawaii). I love the variety of states, climates, and cultures our flag represents. While living in Hawaii, I heard often “lucky we live Hawaii!” It was true. I felt lucky to live there and seemingly everyone I knew felt it too. Now I feel lucky to live in Utah. I feel so fortunate to live in the United States of America. While it’s not perfect, it’s designed for slow gradual improvement. I stand in awe of, and with gratitude for, the great sacrifices of so many who have made these United States a reality. Long may it wave!