What We Learned In The Heartland

In Branson, Missouri this week we discovered that America's heart still beats strong and true among ordinary, hard-working, citizens and families.
And speaking of America and Americans, we discovered that America does not begin in New York and end in Washington. Nor does it begin in Hollywood and end in San Francisco.
We discovered that that there are places where people still say grace before meals -- even in a restaurant.
And we also discovered that restaurant waiters or waitresses will politely pause till grace is completed.
We discovered that young adults still want to work hard, do their best and accept personal responsibility for their own lives while showing that indeed they do know the difference between right and wrong. And yes, many of them still say "sir" and "m'am" when speaking to their elders.
We discovered that family members of all generations still enjoy each other's company -- that they can have fun together and respect one another -- and that the family unit remains the foundation of our society.
We discovered that people will wait patiently -- that they will open doors for one another, cede the road to another, listen to others before they speak and that they still say "please" and "thank you" when appropriate.
We discovered that Americans are not easily fooled -- that they're still suspicious of the government and that they know (now more than ever) that they can do much more for themselves than the government will ever be able to do for them.
We discovered that children still need and want structure; that they want to be corrected and be guided and that they also bring joy and spontaneity to life as they delight in the simplest pleasures.
And we discovered that many, many people still believe deeply in God, family and country -- in that order -- and that, whatever cynicism they may find around them, they retain great faith in the future.
We watched closely. We listened attentively. We shared freely. And this is what we saw and heard and felt and learned in Branson.
Our trip is not quite over, but we are already richer for it.
Photo copyright 2010 by Dan Cirucci.