The Strength of a Nation
From Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of America
By James A. Gemmell

Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.
~Voltaire

We were two young, first time visitors to the United States. Unwittingly my wife and I made the mistake of arriving in New York City on Saint Patrick’s Day. Our first indication of a problem came as our taxi driver picked us up at the airport. Rolling his eyes heavenward he muttered under his breath when we gave him the address of our hotel. He apologized for his reaction but pointed out that no matter what route he took into the city it would be a long drive. He suggested that it would require a bit of Irish luck to make it to our hotel, situated as it was, just off Times Square.

Progress was steady until we arrived in Manhattan, and then, as predicted, we slowed to a crawl. It was not much of a problem for us as it was our first visit to the city. Everything was new. The taxi was comfortable and we were happy to be taking in the sights and sounds of the streets. We put our windows down to get a better sense of the place. We strained our necks upwards to get the best view of the skyscrapers as we made our very slow way through the towering canyons. Even the steam spiraling out of the sewer drains held a childlike fascination for us. (Keep reading)