Feeling Nostalgic and Thankful at age 64,  on America’s 249th Birthday

Being a musician for practically my entire life, I can’t help but associate most of life’s events with songs. Lyrics and melodies are powerful and, next to God, can move the souls of people like no other. For example, I turned 64 this year, I grew up hearing the Beatles song, “When I’m 64.” For a 15-year-old teenage girl, it was hard to imagine that, if God allowed, I would realize the day I would turn 64! 

In 1976, our country was celebrating its 200^th Anniversary and I can remember being so excited about the patriotic events taking place, hearing performances of iconic patriotic songs like “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America”, and I especially related to one song that was popular in the protestant church called “The Statue of Liberty” (see lyrics below). I also recall thinking that it was “super cool” for high school seniors, who would forever get to claim that they were a part of the Bicentennial Graduation Class of 1976.  I can still feel the warmth and gratefulness in my heart from that historic year.

Statue of Liberty
In New York Harbor stands a lady
With a torch raised to the sky
And all who see her know she stands for
Liberty for you and me

And I’m so proud to be called an American
To be named with the brave and the free
I will honor our flag and our trust in God
And the Statue of Liberty

On lonely Golgotha stood a cross
With my Lord raised to the sky
And all who kneel there live forever
As all the saints can testify

And I’m so glad to be called a Christian
To be named with the ransomed and whole
As the statue liberates the citizen
So the cross liberates the soul

Oh, the cross is my Statue of Liberty
For it was there that my soul was set free
Unashamed I’ll proclaim that a rugged cross
Is my Statue of Liberty

Unashamed I’ll proclaim that a rugged cross
Is my Statue of Liberty!
 

By Neal Enloe

Now, here you and I are, and, regardless of all the turmoil across the globe, we are incredibly blessed to celebrate the founding of America, what she stands for, and if an American, to be an American. For fun, may I use some big words to describe what’s about to happen? Here we go. July 4^th, 2025 will commence the penultimate, the official countdown, to America’s Semiquincentennial Birthday! That’s a mouthful to mean the same as, “America is turning 250 years old next year!” God willing, I will be in my 65^th year of life and I’ll get to celebrate it!

As I move from age 64 to age 65, I pray that I continue to live my best life and hope you will press on with me to live your best life by serving others, walking by faith, and not by sight, during challenging times, and hopefully reaching out to others, even if it is only one person at a time, to share our unique experience, wisdom, and encouragement. I hope we will also take the time throughout this upcoming historic year to remember and draw strength from those who have paved the way before us.  I am deeply grateful to our founding fathers and also want to give a nod to three of their wives who went on to become first ladies.  These God-fearing women stood firm in their support leading up to and during the Revolutionary War.

Martha Washington considered it a joy to accompany General Washington to the battle fields to cook for, encourage, and to tend to the wounds of soldiers. Abigail Adams who was known for her strength, political savvy, and business acumen, relieved her husband’s stress by successfully managing the family farm while John (and their 14-year-old son, John Quincy), were away in Europe doing his diplomatic duty to support our young country. Dolly Madison, wife of James Madison, known for her delightful personality and warm hospitality, bravely rescued, and escaped with what is today one of most famous portraits of George Washington, when the British attacked and were burning down the White House. I can only imagine what life was like in 1776.  But I am deeply grateful to those who gave their all to help America gain their independence.

As you head out to celebrate America’s 249^th Birthday, the musician in me wants to leave you with the powerful lyrics to two songs:  “The Statue of Liberty” by Neal Enloe, where he poignantly parallels the beautiful statue in New York Harbor with the old, rugged cross on Calvary and  “America the Beautiful”, written by another lovely American lady, Katherine Bates, who was awe inspired by the beauty of our land and penned these timeless lyrics. 

God Bless you and May God continue to Bless America. Let’s Celebrate!

America The Beautiful
O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain
 
America!  America!
God shed his grace on thee.
And crown thy good with brotherhood.
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
 
America!  America!
God mend thine every flaw.
Confirm thy soul in self-control.
Thy liberty in law!
 
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife
Who more than self their country loved.
And mercy more than life!
 
America! America!
May God thy gold refine.
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!

By Katherine Lee Bates

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Debbie was honored to serve as Ms. Senior America 2023. She holds a degree in Vocal Performance and has performed across the continental U.S. and abroad. She’s also a talent and interview coach for Miss America Scholarship Organization contestants, high school and college bound performing arts students, and conservative political candidates. Debbie is married to Scott Robbins. They have one son, Jackson, born when Debbie was 44. He is now a Freshman at the University of Louisville.