Thankful for AMERICA and the BLUE LINE

With everything that has been going on in the news lately,

it's easy to start thinking that mankind is

 REALLY MESSED UP!!!!

When I turn on my TV, all I see is the news telling me

 how the whole world hates one another. Everyone is in a fight against the 

winnings of one candidate or another.  Why don't I see this when I turn off the media???

My neighbor is very Pro-Hillary. They do not like Trump at all.  Ashlynn is always telling them why Trump is better. We are still friends.  Ashlynn went to their kid's birthday party yesterday.

We all have our own problems.  It is also true that bad, mean 

 people who beat people up just because they voted for the wrong party 

do exist in the world.  But I believe those people are few and far between.

I feel, as a whole, that mankind is good.  Overall, people are thankful to be American no
 matter who wins the election. 

 We all go about our daily lives, live the laws, and care about the people around us.

Lately, I have felt overwhelmed by the blessing of living in such a great place as I do. I feel gratitude to associate with individuals who have stepped up and joined together when it really mattered.  

Recently, a man killed 2 police officers here in Des Moines.  They were sitting in their cars, and he shot them.  Thankfully, they caught the guy. But it was such a sad day.  It was heartbreaking, and my heart aches for the families and friends. 

On the day of the funeral, I was headed to Costco, and all traffic was stopped on Jordan Creek Parkway.  I  wondered was going on. I glanced at the overpass. It was lined with people and flags. Immediately, I knew what was happening, and my paradigm shifted. After about 10 more minutes, police cars and firetrucks started turning onto the freeway. As I looked around, I noticed everyone sat with a solemn look.  They were not on phones and other things. This really sparked something inside me.  Everyone observed this moment with such respect.  

 As traffic started to move again and I came up over the overpass, 2 firetrucks had their ladders all the way out with a flag that went across all 6 lanes of Jordan Creek flying in the air.  It was one of the most solemn, patriotic sights I have ever witnessed. Tonight, I went for a walk. I observed that everyone had blue lights in their driveway. Not just to support the ones who were killed but also because they knew the lady whose husband was a cop. Sherwin Williams has donated blue painter's tape, and individuals have used it to stripe the back of their cars. Costco has it in the store, and workers from many companies have it on their trucks.  Our neighbor bought one of the new flags with a blue line, and as I looked at his home with the 4 blue lights tonight and that flag, I felt such great honor for the privilege to be in this community. I love the way the community has come together on this and let it make us stronger.  We watch the news and see all that is bad in the world, but when we leave the world behind and open our eyes and look around at what the media is missing, for the most part, we find people are good, and they love one another. They care deeply about the neighbors. They rise to the challenge of life when it matters.  

We are blessed to live in this country. We are blessed beyond words to have police officers who will literally give up their lives to keep us safe if the moment requires it. 

Blessed to be part of the greatest nation on earth.