There are an estimated 11 million people who have made that journey and are now among us without the benefit of citizenship. Yet they continue to come in spite of all the things we hear from politicians and the media about the imperfections of our country and the failings of our leaders. That situation exists nowhere else on earth. No other country’s borders are overrun with people trying to get in. No other country allows millions of people to enter illegally and remain alongside citizens, or provides them with what they need to support their daily lives. Only ours. So, as we are reminded during this special week of celebration that the American Dream is not only alive and well but stronger than ever before, we know we are indeed greatly blessed. For me, that cue has come from the image of a fellow communicant painfully struggling to her feet in tribute to all that has brought us to where we are today — 243 years after those fateful events that launched an unimagined journey producing an outcome unequaled in all of human history.

More From Fort Worth Star Telegram: