October 3rd: “AIN’T IT GREAT TO BE AN AMERICAN”

Years ago, when my husband Bob worked in the advertising world of Chicago, we had a friend named Paul Day. Paul represented a national magazine, calling on advertising agencies like Leo Burnett where Bob spent his career.

Paul and his wife, Gretchen, lived in Lake Bluff, Illinois. He was a fine golfer and belonged to Bob O’Link, one of the North Shore’s private golf clubs. Mike Ditka, the Chicago Bears Head Coach was a member and a golfing buddy of Paul’s.

Bob played several times with Paul in the member-guest tournaments at Bob O’Link, and it was Bob who brought home a story about Paul that I still enjoy today.

When Paul sank a particularly satisfying long putt, he would look up and announce, with unmistakable pleasure,

“Ain’t it Great to be an American.”

On this Election Day, I’ve been thinking about Paul Day and his wonderful declaration.

Being an American is something we ought to celebrate more often, even when the putts don’t drop.

Today is a day to echo Paul’s sentiment. Ain’t it great to be an American!