Clothes-Pinning the American Culture

Today the sun is shining and the breeze is gently blowing. I find myself sitting on a stand dressed down in my guarding gear, essentially a swimsuit, shorts, and a whistle. Across my lap sits my guard tube and I have on my BYU sunglasses and stars and stripes flip flops. I'm perfectly relaxed finding peace being in my element. The heat of the sun rays feel wonderful on my shoulders and across the fence, I hear the sounds of a baseball tournament. Kids are cheering and coaches are barking tips every moment. A bat connects with the ball and dust kicks up as the boys run around the plates. As I continue my scan I hear the men below talking about their war days as they do their water aerobics. The radio sings loud and I sing along under my breath, I've clothes-pinned the American Culture.


I've always been skeptical about American Culture. In the 40's with the coming of World War II and the end of the Great Depression, our culture was at its height with family, baseball, the crooners, patriotism, and penny candy and soda at the local drug store. And somewhere it disappeared, like dandelion seeds on a lights breeze. But the seeds are still there and today I realized that. Our culture is not gone it's simply slipped off of the clothesline. What should be wholesome culture has become shrouded by the filth of the world. We are known for MTV, Jersey Shore, and awards for various mediums of media. A good time on a Friday or Saturday night has become Hooka Bars and clubs, one night stands and getting as smashed as possible. It's not safe to run the streets as playing children and entitlement and laziness is rampant, respect and civility slowly dying. It doesn't feel right to call this "culture" yet if we do not safeguard our time and become better than we are we will soon lose the remnants of a happier day to the sleaze of the passing moment.

But this isn't how it must be. We can slow down and become the yesterday we long for. While life-guarding, it's my job to sit and simply watch, alert, and waiting. But we shouldn't need it penciled into a planner or forced upon us to find the importance of simply sitting and experiencing life. We make who we are by taking time for who we want to be. By taking the time we each pick up the scattered pieces of America and pin them to the line to wave for all to see. Kids shouting at a baseball game. Old men talking about their glory days while making eyes at a 65-year-old woman they still think is lovely. Summertime swimming and 4th of July barbecues. Civility and extra-mile kindness, just because. Bell ringing at Christmas time, and American ingenuity being born in children who discover answers as fast as they come up with more questions. A drive to improve and protect. Liberty, honor, hard work, fun, and wholesome American Culture. Who knew one could find all that while sitting on a lifeguard stand? 

-Natalie Cherie