Oh say can you see

I’m writing this post by the dawn’s early light. We sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” in priesthood meeting on Sunday, and as I was playing the piano a series of goosebump runs tickled my spine and skin. Gosh, I love America! And those aren’t just words — when I think of what the founding fathers did, and all those who fought for our freedom, my breath is taken away and I have to just sit down and offer up a quiet prayer of gratitude. It’s mind-bogglingly amazing. And beautiful. And noble. For me, it’s pretty easy to let life go by without really even thinking about things like this, but whenever I do — when the anthem plays on campus every morning and afternoon and everyone stops with a hand over their heart, or when we celebrate Independence Day, or on occasions like 9/11 — I’m almost brought to tears (I said almost) by how magnificent and glorious it all is. Sure, America has its problems. “But the flag still stands for freedom, and they can’t take that away.” I really am proud to be an American — land of the free and home of the brave. America, I love you.