By: Stephanie Reynolds
Hello, my fabulous Athens-Limestonians!
It is the 13th of July. My article is due…now, actually. I am staring out the window at a rainy day, lightly grey and thoroughly green.
And I rest.
It’s been a long few months of meetings and contracts and negotiations and emails (So. Many. Emails.) I learned how to use Microsoft planner (Sort of. If you are an MS planner genius, call me.) Lists were checked, dozens of signs were placed, swag and merch were handed out.
We encouraged racers at the Red, White & ZOOM with uplifting signs like “Seems like a lot of work for a free popsicle” and “Pain is just the French word for Bread.”
Then we took down the Zoom and prepped for the BOOM. It was a great (though hot!) party with food trucks and vendors and bouncy houses and incredible performances (it was SO hard to pick a first place winner that we had 2!) Then of course, the fireworks—the ones we paid for and the ones God provided (lightning). It was a great show and we are so thankful for all the city, county, and state support we received. If you see Mayor and the city council, Chairman and the county commission, Senators Butler and Stutts, and Representative Harrison, please tell them thank you—we could not have done this without them (and Parks and Rec, and Athens PD, and EMS and…)
So the 4th is over, but does it have to be? Can’t we stay in eternal summer, eternal red, white and blue popsicles and bunting and berry desserts?
Can’t we stay in the exciting run-up when so many individual groups worked together to make a wonderful weekend for our community?
Can’t we keep seeing America through fresh foreign tourists’ eyes from the FIFA matches where Americans shared their impossibly big county and friendliness and endless chips and salsa?
Can’t we stay in the “We might not always agree, but you are not my enemy. You are my fellow citizen. We can talk and work and celebrate together.”?
Can’t we?
I think we can. Even if cheeks are red from being frost-kissed instead of sun-kissed, even if white of the blazing sun turns to white of the (admittedly rare) snow, the sky over America will stay just as blue, just as free, and just as wide IF we continue to show the same love and grace for each other that we did for the tourists coming to watch soccer.
Providence has given us the most amazing gift for our nation’s 250th—the gift of seeing America through fresh eyes as she really is when we don’t listen to those who despise her, either outside or inside our country. We got the chance to remember that we are a country that loves to learn about other people, to give generously, to get along, and to be on opposite sides during the “game” and on the same side after it.
We don’t have to keep that feeling just during this rare 250th July. It doesn’t have to fade like summer into fall. We don’t have to let the cold of the winter seep into our hearts as it seeps into our bones. Our kindness and generosity toward those who think differently than us doesn’t have to wither in the cold of our suspicion like summer flowers at the first frost. We can choose to listen to good, to seek peace and pursue it.
How about this: the next time we go to a restaurant and they set a bowl of fresh bread or free water or chips and salsa on our table before we even request it and without asking our positions or politics, let’s remember that, right there, is the real us, the U.S. We know that. We saw that. Let’s remember we can disagree without hate, can debate without rancor, can strive with each other not against each other.
The spirit of America is alive and well. Let’s be proud and thankful to live in this great, wide nation under God, indivisible.
And free chips and salsa for all.
By: Stephanie Reynolds
Athens-Limestone Tourism Association
