How fortunate I am to live in America

 There's something deeply humbling about realizing just how fortunate I am to have been born and raised in America - a country that, for all its challenges, has provided me with a sense of safety and stability that many across the world can only dream of.

 I've never heard the sound of bombs in the distance. I've never had to flee my home in the night or worry about whether my family would make it through the day because of war. While there have been national tragedies and times of unrest, I have never - not once - feared for my life due to war on American soil. that is a privilege so many people across the globe will never know, and it's one I don't take lightly.

 War is a reality for millions, even today - displacing families, destroying homes, and unraveling entire communities. But here, I've had the freedom to build a life, pursue dreams, and speak my mind without the looming threat of destruction hanging overhead. That's a gift of peace that's hard to measure until you look at how fragile it can be elsewhere.

 I am grateful for the men and women who serve to keep this land safe. I'm thankful for the foundation of democracy that allows us to speak, gather, and live freely. And more than anything, I recognize how blessed I am to go to sleep each night without fear that war is coming to my doorstep.

 Peace is a gift - and I am lucky to have it.