I first set foot on U.S. soil at the age of 9 — nearly 19 years ago. I arrived with my Mom on a flight from Poland, capable of counting to 10 in English and terrified of the future. I can vividly remember my grandmother lamenting about when I’d come back, if at all, and sincerely hoping that one day I would decide to return.

Just a few months ago, she told me something I thought I’d never hear: “I’m so glad you’re there; there’s nothing left for you in our country.”

It was a timely confirmation of how lucky I am to be an American, and how great things are here, regardless of economic trends. This Independence Day, I’m taking the time to reflect on the things that make us uniquely capable of greatness as Americans:

Sharing a Common Purpose. Whether you arrived here by plane yesterday, or you’re a 10th generation descendant, …

President Obama calls health care and education two pillars of economy and with their recent reform America is stronger than it was just a few short months ago.

It has been one year since the passage of the stimulus bill and hundreds of billions of dollars have flowed from government coffers into the ailing economy.