by Sharon Hughes

Do you love America?

I mean do you LOVE America?

If so, why?

Is it because of the personal liberties you enjoy?

Is it because you live in the most free nation on the earth?

Is it because of its roots, its foundations?

Or is it because it is YOUR country?

Whether we live in America or some other country, we should -- because it is made up of the people who are our 'national family'.

love the country that is ours -- because it is ours

Certainly our Founding Fathers understood this. They understood that not living with the freedom of the 'self-evident truth' that the 'certain unalianable rights' given by 'our Creator' provide, was not the best. And so they set out to provide the best form of government they could for their fellow man, for their 'national family.'

The 4th of July is the perfect time to re-recognize that each of us are called to be a part of America's destiny -- to work to make it the best nation it can be. Isn't that what we do (or should do) for the company we work for, or own; for our family; for our personal lives?

And we need to not only re-recognize our individual roles of responsibility as American citizens, but to re-commit to the stewardship of caring for (loving) our nation. Sure, just like with our families, we see the flaws, but we also see the potential (or we should), and work for the best outcome.

Just as the immigrant who escaped from Bulgaria encourages us to do on our

So celebrate America this weekend with renewed dedication, and a gratitude that understands, as Erma Bombeck, one of America's most popular humorists, once said,