>From: KYRAFAITH@aol.com >Reply-To: VA-Harrison-Monongalia-L@rootsweb.com >To: VA-Harrison-Monongalia-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: [VA-Har-Mon] West Virginia "brat" >Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 16:51:59 EDT > >Pride in the good old USA is one thing, but a feeling of SUPERIORITY has >nothing to do with pride and is quite arrogant. The statement that "no >other >country is as prosperous" is also one that may be worth rethinking. Other >countries and people of other nations may focus on different things than >money, fame or fortune. Could it be that they are focusing on family first >instead of climbing to the top of the ladder and having more than the next >guy. There are many Americans that also focus on family before wealth, >success of the heart and soul before everything else. I think we could >learn >something from that! Whoever wrote that we are superior or more prosperous >than any other nation should travel to Europe and enjoy the beauty of the >land that is richly treasured, visit buildings that are centuries old and >have been maintained for their distinct architectural qualities and beauty >instead of tearing them down just to put up something more modern, more >expensive, maybe a visit to a small Italian farming community where people >still milk their own cows, harvest their own crops, grow their own >vegetables >and share in the joys of everyday life with their extended families would >give some perspective on whether the USA is SUPERIOR or better because >WEALTH >is so much more important here to many people than in other parts of the >world! The letter from the little girl is wonderful. The letter is about >sacrifice, family and survival. This should be the focus of any reply to >the >letter, not an empty effort to make the USA sound better than the rest of >the >world. We are all lucky to be born, no matter where we live, most >importantly, we should all appreciate human life everywhere, equally. To >say >that we are superior to any other countries or any other human beings would >take away from any sense of appreciation we should all have for the gift of >waking each day! >Superiority is not an appropriate feeling or word when discussing other >human >beings, other nations, other religions, other races. Each one of us on >Earth >began in the same way and will end in the same way and in the time we are >gifted here on this remarkable planet, we have a responsibility to remember >that. >Also, if we think of each other as a parent would think about their >children >behaving, well, there are a lot of people that teach their children to be >kind, generous and forgiving. Teaching their children to share, be polite, >accepting of others, love thy neighbor, etc. Some of these parents that >have >wonderful intentions in teaching their children, forget to follow their own >advice and therefore, lead by example. I, myself, am guilty of that. >Parenting is a good time to review what behavior is appropriate for >ourselves. As we teach our children, there are reminders for us about how >to >treat others. >Take this information however you like, for that is what we do as humans, >we >all interpret things differently. No two people are alike and it is a >beautiful gift to us, even though sometimes it is hard to see that as a >gift. >Everyone needs more peace, more tranquility in life and hopefully we can >always be open to learning more and drinking in more of the beauty in order >that we may gift ourselves with the peace that is offered each day, in the >rising and setting of the sun, in the children at play, in the smile of a >friend, in the blue skies, even in the rain. The magic lies in the beauty >of >our planet, stop and take a sip of it and feel the peace it provides. >Peace and love dance in your eyes and on your heart when you stop to look >at >the rainbows. >Kyra Prestininzi > I'm sorry Kyra, that you took one sentence out of my letter to a young girl, so much out of context. I'm a country women, born and raised on 4 acres of ground, by loving and hard working parents. We also had a cow, to give milk and cream, with butter and buttermilk to have for the churning. There were chickens and a pig, most years. My husband and I worked hard to raise and educate our children, of whom we are very proud. We are anything but wealthy. I stand by everything I said. I am proud of our Country, and I'm glad that I was lucky enough to be born here. This Country is the first to step in to help other needy people in other countries. I was so proud of the people of America, not just Americans, on 9/II, when that horrible day came. We all stood together. Perhaps you have had a bad day, if so I'm sorry for you. Ramonetta Phillips _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus