Yesterday's church service was the traditional patriotic one for Independence Day. I have always been drawn to patriotism, perhaps because my birthday falls near the holiday, and from the time I can remember red,white & blue birthday cakes and fireworks were a part of my birthday celebration.

But as I sat there listening to one of our choir's best baritones belt out the Lee Greenwood tune, "Proud to be an American", this year's celebration felt different. I realized how fortunate we are to be in America, given all of LuLu's disabilities. Where else would we have access to so many services and the ability to pursue her need for a proper education through the courts? Yes, there is much not right about that whole situation right now. But what other country would afford us such right to say exactly what is wrong with the option the school system has given us?

It is not hard to imagine what LuLu's life would be like as a 9-year-old with all these disabilities still living in the Chinese orphanage (if she were still living at all). I mean no disrespect to China when I say this. But there is no way in that situation that she would have ever received the opportunities she has now been afforded.

So, it is with extreme gratitude that I thank God we are in America. I am highly aware of our country's flaws as they relate to my disabled daughter -- insurance companies that won't pay for therapies, schools that won't provide services, a general discrimination against people whose disabilities manifest themselves as behaviors. But, at least for this one day of the year, I am equally aware of our country's blessings. Including my right to tell you about the many flaws and to work to remedy them.

I often take for granted these rights, as most Americans do. But it is not only what makes our country great, it is the legacy we need to protect for our children. And in many ways it is exactly why it was so important to bring my child here.

She is proud to be an American. I watch her spray paint her hair red and blue, don her flag shirt, strip her fingernails, and skip around with a sparkler in her hand. And I know...God has blessed the USA; and God has blessed US.