I always think of February as a patriotic month when we observe the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two great men still followed by others, that have led with moral strength and character in the direction they felt was the right for our country. February is sometimes a time also, when our country has experienced a recent change in administration as we have at this point. It was an inspiring moment for me, to see all faiths, all party affiliations and many racial representations sing acappella with Carrie Underwood, when the taped instrumental music failed for her performance of America the Beautiful at the recent inauguration ceremony, She simply stated ,”You’ll have to help me.” We then witnessed the many voices in attendance singing this beloved anthem together; blending to rectify a solution to the problem at hand. The results was beautiful.

We have the opportunity to further, with dignity and grace, the concept founded for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. True, we come with different perspectives and ethnic backgrounds, just as it was in the inauguration attendance, but working together in good times and bad times will result in a nation with continued blessing from God. Katherine Lee Bates, who penned America the Beautiful expresses it this way.

Oh beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain.
For purple mountain majesties
Among the fruited plain.

America, America,
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood.
From sea to shining sea.

Oh beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A though fare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.

Oh beautiful for patriots dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.

America, America
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.