My Baby Granddaughter’s America

A girl was born in our family;

she came to the world ‘round the Fourth of July.

Fair and fairly privileged she is – with faithful parents,

loving church friends, a nice home in a safe neighborhood, access to health care and good schools,

and an older brother who’s adorable.

But, throughout her life, our country, will it be a

“Sweet land of liberty”?

Of thee I write.

Birthed the same week in 2025 as the U.S.A. in 1776,

our little darling forever will celebrate alongside her nation.

I hope and plead she and her contemporaries will revel in freedom:

free to worship, free to speak out sans fear,  

free to enjoy the fruits of their labor and investment.

She only needs one Big Brother, too.

Our federal government must become limited in scope

so as to not interfere with her freedoms.

It also must be limited in size so she and her fellow taxpayers can afford it.

Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid – she might need those some far-off day,

as many of her classmates surely will;

yet reserves will run out when today’s tots are in first grade.

Oh, and Welcome to America, Baby, your share of the national debt is $100,000!

Pray that she needn’t dread our financial demise.

Due process of law and other justice rights,

they also must remain available for all, with equality.

At times I wonder if we will need to wait for this baby and her sibling

to lead our country with the right principles – 

with dignity, integrity, and honesty,

even with transparency.

Seeking first to understand,

leaders actually trying to serve others, not themselves,

striving for peace,

protecting the vulnerable, and

honoring the rule of law in a nation of laws, not men;

preserving democracy at home and around the world.

Those are the leaders I want for our grandkids.

The baby girl born into our family,

May she indeed live in a sweet land of liberty,

For thee I pray.