Grandma’s Kitchen Table

Grandma’s Kitchen Table
  by Pam McAloon   
    During my lifetime I have had many interesting discussions with my parents, teachers, and others in authority who instilled good values that will never be forgotten. I had the fortuitous opportunity to live with my grandparents for 6 months and attending 2nd grade. My parents and sister were getting settled in another state as my dad had been transferred to Nebraska. We were a military family. I had already started school in Tampa and begged my parents to let me stay, which they did.

Many mornings Grandma and I would sit at the kitchen table and discuss interesting topics; many of
which centered upon family and country. One morning I was on my high horse as we once again were
discussing loyalty to our country and to authority. I had the nerve, however, to challenge my
grandmother by asking her why America is so special. Her eyes widened. She responded rather
forcefully by saying that being born in America was a gift that for many would give their eye teeth to be so lucky. She also gave me a history lesson about the sacrifices made so that we could freely engage in our “kitchen table” discussions. She understood the true meaning of liberty.

That discussion has forever made an impression on my life. We are seeing injustices starting with the
indictment of a past President, morality and common sense being turned on its ear, and an ever-growing federal government that is fortunately being restrained by the U.S. Constitution.

We have heroes who daily place their lives on the line to protect us from harm. Despite what it is we are facing as a nation, America is great. We cannot however give up on its founding principles. I thank my grandmother and my parents for their teachings. Despite being a grown up with lifelong experiences, I find that there still is something very special about the “kitchen table”.

Pam McAloon
Palm Harbor
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