— Lee Child, “Night School”
Author Jim Grant, better known by his pen name Lee Child, through the voice of a fictional character gave what may be the best definition of patriotism I’ve ever read. Child — British by birth, American by choice and legal nationalization — doesn’t blindly love the country to which he emigrated. He loves it even though it’s sometimes in error. It’s much the same way you’d love a child, a pet or any significant other.
Don’t get riled that I put “pet” in that list. Those of you with them know you love them and probably have called your children by the pets’ names before. You know whom I’m talking about.
A child is not always obedient or right in his or her choices. If you stopped loving them because they were wrong or yelled “No!” then you are not fit to be a parent. Period.
The leaders of our country are mortal men and women. They have families; they were once children; they sweat and eliminate waste and eat and sleep and try to live the way they personally think is best. Those choices don’t always line up with my own, or with yours.
I saw in the news last week about a father and son who were running against each other for a state representative seat. They disagree politically. But they live together and love one another. They just don’t see eye-to-eye on politics.
I rarely agree fully with another person, either. And that includes pretty much everyone. I don’t even agree with what I’ve said or written myself, sometimes, when I go back and think on it. But the beauty of life is that I can change my mind.
This country can change. It has changed. It’s not the fledgling upstart rebellious group of colonies it once was over 200 years ago. It’s not the internally-divided-to-the-point-of-widespread-bloodshed country it was 150 years ago. It’s not even the racially divided nation it was 50 years ago.
Thank God.
Chunky has changed a lot, too. Our neighbors have changed. We’ve changed. I hope it’s for the better. We’ve not always agreed on everything or on the way to do everything. Mercy, we can’t even agree on everything in a business meeting or committee meeting in a church all the time.
But we don’t stop loving each other. We don’t stop reaching out to one another. We cannot. We must not.
Jesus of Nazareth lauded his followers who would do so much as to give a cup of cold water to another person in kindness. And as hot as it is in east Mississippi, what a blessing that would be if you needed it, hmm?
As you celebrate the Fourth of July this week in the backyards, front yards and side yards of family and friends, as you watch baseball in the comfort of your air-conditioned living room or drink iced tea or lemonade as you light fireworks, please do not forget to check on our Chunky neighbors. Do you know anyone who doesn’t have air conditioning? Who needs a fan? Who needs water? Or who needs any other necessity? Don’t hesitate to share what you have. If you don’t have it or can’t part with it, let others know the need. Let me know.
Part of loving this country is loving the people in it. Start with yourself, then spread that love to your neighbors.
Have a happy and safe Fourth!
Brett Campbell can be reached at brettcampbell@bellsouth.net or 601-934-0901.
