In 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted our American flag. Visiting the Santa Fe Botanical Garden recently, I was intrigued at how metal artist Kevin Box interpreted what’s often known as the Stars and Stripes. Artists amaze us, don’t they? I also loved the title of this piece, part of Box’s Origami Garden exhibit, “Basket Full of Stars.” I thought not only of our 50 states but of our wishes for this diverse, multi-cultural and multi-lingual country, our basket full of wishes for the well-being of our young who will inherit the country we’re shaping together.

Pat Mora and daughter Libby Martinez, authors of
I Pledge Allegiance.