It’s beautiful, Maggie. It’s important to remember these things. I can tell you how truth this is. When I look back to my homeland of Venezuela I can see how much beauty can be destroyed. How many things on this list are missing there. And many that exist do so in spite of and not because of the narcoautocracy that runs the country. America is not a hell hole. Not even close. Problems? Yes. Those come everywhere there are humans. But so much better than other places. I’ll add Pantsuit Politics: the hosts, Alise, YOU! And the Spice Cabinet and the others in FB here. You have provided me a good community to ride these choppy waves with. Thank you Maggie
The beauty that exists “in spite of, not because of” ❤️🩹
I could do this again with how much I love the way people make their lives beautiful in the face of unthinkable hardship. It’s one of the things I love most and humanity.
Currently wearing my "Keep It Nuanced, Y'all" shirt and trying to hold the good and bad together today. Thanks for tipping the scales toward the good for me.
When President Biden had one of his best (only?) moments in the debate it was when he talked about America and how we can do great things, and I thought at the time that that should have been his answer to Trump’s barrage of anti-immigrant blather. “You know why we have people at the border? Cuz this is a place people want to live and work and raise families and speak freely! We owe them a better process of entry, but they’re coming here for all the best reasons, just like most of our ancestors did.” Trump defeats his own argument. If this were a hellhole no one would be lining up to get in.
Erin Moon wrote in her Substack, The Swipe Up, an essay called what Flag Will We Plant in an Empire of Death?” It is so, so good. Everything she writes is worth the subscription. The conclusion I came to is the same one written here. Remember what you are for and go about making it happen in your own circle, in the way only you can do.
Oh, Maggie. The 4th has been my favorite holiday for most of my life. I love the sense of community. The way that while a person sits to watch fireworks, they can be surrounded by neighbors with different political beliefs, representing different religions, identifying as new immigrants or seventh generation Americans, and yet everyone sits together as countrymen. As Americans. All clad in red, white, and blue. Finding bizarre, yet hilarious or beautiful ways to wear our flag design as clothing. For this one day, the lines of difference get a little blurred and we can all just be one nation. It helps that today isn’t hinged on stressful family traditions or gift giving/greed. Nationwide, we just BBQ, blow stuff up, hang, and listen to music while enjoying summer vibes. It’s the best. Sorry, not sorry, Christmas.
But today, I have found myself downright weepy. I want to enjoy this day, and this country I love so much, but I am just feeling so sad about where we are and where we are going.
It is an understatement to say I needed this post. Thank you for the dose of patriotism I needed today. Honestly, I needed this year. 🇺🇸
May you and your family have a wonderful Independence Day. 🥰
Thank you Maggie, this was sooo gooooood! This line hit me especially: “I know it feels some days like we’re in a dying nation, but we have so much lying fallow waiting to bloom.” I believe this very much too. ❤️
I teared up a bit, really thinking about the beauty in this. Every word. We are truly blessed and don't even know it. Thank you for this incredible reminder. ❤️🇺🇸
Dayyyyummmmm. This really got me. Thanks, Maggie. I'm definitely bookmarking this for future reading when times seem dark! I really love what Beth said the other day in an episode - "the next day always matters". I think this sentiment and your letter go hand in hand. I'm so grateful to be a part of this community that encourages us to look to the next day and all the goodness that might await us there.
Really needed to read this today Maggie. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and inspiring me to celebrate our country today and to commit to fighting for its future 🇺🇸💪🏻
Maggie, this was absolutely stunning! Thank you with all my heart! Also, just to share, my neighbor sent over some flowers, just because! That is so beautiful to me.
Thank you soooo much, Maggie. I love everything about this post and really needed it today. ❤️❤️🩹🇺🇸
Same 🫶🇺🇸🥹
👆🏻💕
It’s beautiful, Maggie. It’s important to remember these things. I can tell you how truth this is. When I look back to my homeland of Venezuela I can see how much beauty can be destroyed. How many things on this list are missing there. And many that exist do so in spite of and not because of the narcoautocracy that runs the country. America is not a hell hole. Not even close. Problems? Yes. Those come everywhere there are humans. But so much better than other places. I’ll add Pantsuit Politics: the hosts, Alise, YOU! And the Spice Cabinet and the others in FB here. You have provided me a good community to ride these choppy waves with. Thank you Maggie
The beauty that exists “in spite of, not because of” ❤️🩹
I could do this again with how much I love the way people make their lives beautiful in the face of unthinkable hardship. It’s one of the things I love most and humanity.
Currently wearing my "Keep It Nuanced, Y'all" shirt and trying to hold the good and bad together today. Thanks for tipping the scales toward the good for me.
This is just the best! Thank you!
When President Biden had one of his best (only?) moments in the debate it was when he talked about America and how we can do great things, and I thought at the time that that should have been his answer to Trump’s barrage of anti-immigrant blather. “You know why we have people at the border? Cuz this is a place people want to live and work and raise families and speak freely! We owe them a better process of entry, but they’re coming here for all the best reasons, just like most of our ancestors did.” Trump defeats his own argument. If this were a hellhole no one would be lining up to get in.
Erin Moon wrote in her Substack, The Swipe Up, an essay called what Flag Will We Plant in an Empire of Death?” It is so, so good. Everything she writes is worth the subscription. The conclusion I came to is the same one written here. Remember what you are for and go about making it happen in your own circle, in the way only you can do.
Thank you for this uplifting reminder of why I'm happy to live in this country.
Oh, Maggie. The 4th has been my favorite holiday for most of my life. I love the sense of community. The way that while a person sits to watch fireworks, they can be surrounded by neighbors with different political beliefs, representing different religions, identifying as new immigrants or seventh generation Americans, and yet everyone sits together as countrymen. As Americans. All clad in red, white, and blue. Finding bizarre, yet hilarious or beautiful ways to wear our flag design as clothing. For this one day, the lines of difference get a little blurred and we can all just be one nation. It helps that today isn’t hinged on stressful family traditions or gift giving/greed. Nationwide, we just BBQ, blow stuff up, hang, and listen to music while enjoying summer vibes. It’s the best. Sorry, not sorry, Christmas.
But today, I have found myself downright weepy. I want to enjoy this day, and this country I love so much, but I am just feeling so sad about where we are and where we are going.
It is an understatement to say I needed this post. Thank you for the dose of patriotism I needed today. Honestly, I needed this year. 🇺🇸
May you and your family have a wonderful Independence Day. 🥰
Thank you Maggie, this was sooo gooooood! This line hit me especially: “I know it feels some days like we’re in a dying nation, but we have so much lying fallow waiting to bloom.” I believe this very much too. ❤️
I teared up a bit, really thinking about the beauty in this. Every word. We are truly blessed and don't even know it. Thank you for this incredible reminder. ❤️🇺🇸
Thank you, Maggie. I’ve been feeling so hopeless today and like we should be planning a funeral instead of celebrating a birthday on this July 4th.
This brought me to smile through grateful tears. ❤️
Dayyyyummmmm. This really got me. Thanks, Maggie. I'm definitely bookmarking this for future reading when times seem dark! I really love what Beth said the other day in an episode - "the next day always matters". I think this sentiment and your letter go hand in hand. I'm so grateful to be a part of this community that encourages us to look to the next day and all the goodness that might await us there.
Maggie! This was such a beautiful letter and a joy to read. I’m in tears after reading Good Bones. Thank you 🇺🇸🫶
Really needed to read this today Maggie. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and inspiring me to celebrate our country today and to commit to fighting for its future 🇺🇸💪🏻
Love this, Maggie!
Maggie, this was beautiful. Thank you
Maggie, this was absolutely stunning! Thank you with all my heart! Also, just to share, my neighbor sent over some flowers, just because! That is so beautiful to me.