I found it a bit ironic, preparing as I am to leave the United States for a few weeks to go hiking in France, that I should happen upon a poem entitled "America" by Ray Bradbury in Wednesday's Wall Street Journal.

Do click through and read it. It's beautiful and moving.

Especially now, during this rather ugly and dispiriting debate over immigration.

Whatever your political stripe, we are all truly fortunate to be one thing: AMERICANS. We are FREE!

Yet, all too often, we seem to take for granted what we have, the things that so much of the world yearns for. Opportunities for us are everywhere, for a better job, better place to live, new toys that provide for leisure fun. The freedom and mobility and means to go and do what we please when we please.

But even today, in the 21st century, a large part of our world is terribly oppressed and impoverished, and have little or none of these things, and worse, little hope of a brighter future.

It is no wonder, therefore, that America is the "freedom forest" to them. From afar they see clearly what we don't. "We are the dream that other people dream." Imagine!

Food for much thought. And concious thanks. Our good fortune is not to be taken for granted. And we need to give something back, however much or little we may have. To those who have less, here at home and abroad.

So next when you and I walk through the freedom forest, let's take a long moment to really see the forest amid the trees. It's quite a beautiful place!