Spain is full of lighthouse keepers, even though many people don’t know it
I have been a fan of lighthouses for many years. They are solitary places where you can see the sea in all its splendor.
Spain is a great Nation, despite the demotivating messages of some people
A message of hope for Spain and Hispanic America on Hispanicity Day
On stormy nights, lighthouses serve as a warning to those who fail to see the dangers, yet also as a beacon of hope for those lost amidst the darkness, waves, wind, and rain. Few lighthouse keepers remain today, but their profession has saved countless lives through quiet, steadfast work that often goes unnoticed. Lighthouse keepers epitomized those ordinary people who never made the headlines—except when disaster struck.
Like many other nations—and even though lighthouses are now automated—I believe Spain is a country full of lighthouse keepers, even if some do not realize it. Many people act as a light in the darkness for our society. They may not tend a lighthouse, and millions live far from the coast, yet their light reaches those in need more often than we might think—even though they rarely make the news.
Many are workers struggling daily to feed their families, living honest lives in offices, factories, or on farms. There are also entrepreneurs who face all manner of risks to create jobs and wealth, often enduring scorn—especially from those who seem to have no other purpose than to pit us against one another. There are also many honest public servants who fulfill their obligations—often going above and beyond the call of duty—as we so frequently see among our soldiers, sailors, police officers, firefighters, and healthcare workers.
When I consider whether my country is worth it, what we see on the news is not what comes to mind. Unscrupulous politicians, people who believe the ends justify the means, those who harm others, and those who commit all kinds of crimes do not represent my country, even though we often focus on them. If Spain is a country to be proud of, it is because of all the good people who lead honest, self-sacrificing lives to care for their families, help others, and make this world a little better.
Today is *Hispanidad* Day—Spain’s National Day. It is a day when we have much to celebrate, not only for the milestones of our past but also for all the good qualities we possess as a nation—and there are many. We are a country capable of rising again during the toughest times and showing the best of ourselves in the midst of adversity, as we have witnessed so often. Spain is full of good people, and today is the day we must remember them. It is of these people that I am thinking—even if some might see signs of fascism in hearing it—when I exclaim:
Long live Spain!
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Photo: Elentir, modified with Meta.ai.