Regardless of today's environment, we should step back and remember how good our lives are in America. I'm always watching out for good news because there is way too little of it nowadays. Which is why I want to share this book with you. I saw it first on Time's Top 10 list: it's called America At Home and is coffee table worthy for so many reasons. It chronicles personal and dramatic moments through photographs that speak to “home” – which is different for each of us.
Probably the thing that struck me the most was the time honored traditions that still go on regardless of what is happening outside our homes. We still have time to pursue our hobbies, to participate in cultural traditions and most important, bond with our family, friends and community. I loved the “blowing bubbles” photo proving to me that kids can still have fun without the electronics that seem to dominate their lives.
Here are some of my reflections after viewing 20 of the photos Time has online.
The book has amazing photos showing people who are passionate about things and how they've integrated them into their lives, like the retired steamfitter in NYC whose Manhattan apartment looks like an Amazon jungle.
There are several photos depicting home schooling, and the one I liked best was a young girl saying the Pledge of Allegiance while standing in front of her MacBook.
There's also a moving photo of a homeowner turning over keys to their home to a Sheriff. Thankfully, that's happening less today.
A lot has changed since that book was published in 2008 but one thing remains the same: community values still matter and our sense of home still varies from family to family.
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This post -originally published in 2009- still rings true today.
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