I recently read this and I thought this was very appropriate, as this is the way my wife and I have lived our lives, as did our families.

“The American’s Creed”

“I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon.

“I seek opportunity to develop whatever talents God gave me, not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk to dream and to build, to fall and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole.

“I prefer the challenges of like to the guaranteed existence: the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any earthy master nor bend to any threat.

“It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid: to think and act myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say “this with God’s help, I have done.”

“All this is what it means to be an American.”

Ralph Brawley

Durango