Tuesday Tune- "Only In America"

This is an old song and an old video by Brooks and Dunn.  (2003)  I like the song and think it is perfect for the 4th of July weekend ahead.

"Only In Amercia-  where we dream as big as we want to!"



I've always identified with the bus driver in the lyrics of the first verse:
Sun coming up over New York City
School bus driver in a traffic jam
Starin' at the faces in her rearview mirror
Looking at the promise of the Promised Land
One kid dreams of fame and fortune
One kid helps pay the rent
One could end up going to prison
One just might be president

Every school year there is one moment toward the end of the year where I sit looking at the faces of my students, wondering what they will end up doing with their lives and praying that life will be good to them and that they each will reach the best of their potential. 

And yes, I've taught students who worked part-time jobs to help their parents pay the rent or the electric bill-- while their classmates were working to pay for clothes, dates, or their car insurance.  I've taught students who have dreamed of fame and fortune-- several are still trying to make a go of it in Hollywood or New York City.  And I just had a student who is probably headed to Nashville in a year or two.

Unfortunately, I've also taught students who have gone to prison.  (In 31 years of teaching--you see it all.) 

I haven't taught a president, though there was a student I used to tell that he needed to keep his nose clean.  When he ran for president, I didn't want to have to tell any embarrassing stories to National Enquirer.  (It's always the sophomore English teacher who gets interviewed!  Well, at least that is what I told him!) 

Every year I feel like I'm looking at the "promise of the Promised Land."  Yep, teaching is a great job!  And I sure like this song--"Only in America."  I'll be humming it for the rest of the day.