The Albatross- September 2026

Welcome back to another edition of The Albatross. 

I’d like to begin this post with a wonderful piece of writing we received this month. 

“My Country Is” 

By: Larry Quinn

My country is a rainbow of colors and hues

A masterful palette, whatever you choose

Some may try to paint me just red, or just blue

They’re missing the picture our forefather’s drew. 

My country’s a diamond, a spectrum of light

Meant for all colors to blend and unite

It takes understanding for Black to be White

No lines of division, no wrong or no right. 

My country’s a journey through unchartered land

Where no-one’s excluded from taking a stand

Though we must step lightly in making our case

So the visions of others still have a place

My country’s a challenge to ways of the past

Where common men struggle to

Freedom, at last. 

I live in a nation still finding it’s way

Through right of dissention

A Vote—Yea or Nay. 

I’m sure we all have our own thoughts on politics, especially given the state of the world today. I don’t want to create a space where we fall into disagreement or division. But I do want to acknowledge the depth of Mr. Quinn’s words. He wrote a wonderfully thoughtful poem about what it means to take a stand in a country that was founded on the principles of freedom. How interesting it is that freedom has taken on different meanings over time. But also how important it is to value each other’s right to freedom. Freedom to speak, freedom to express yourself, freedom to choose the life you wish to live. For all the faults of our country, we have to all admit we live in a place full of freedoms regardless of the path that freedom can lead us on. 

Chime in on the comments if you have any thoughts! I’d love to grow this blog over time to start sharing some thoughts and reflections if a piece moves you or not. 

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A quick note: September is Suicide Prevention Month for Veterans. Let’s be mindful the remainder of this month and do our part to speak up for ourselves and each other. If you need resources, please know you can always find someone to help. 

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September also marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that rocked our nation. 

I’d love to see some pieces to showcase for next month on where you were, or what you were feeling during that time if anyone is willing to share. Personally I (the writer of this blog) was an elementary school child when it happened, but I still remember vividly the footage from every channel on the the tv. The way my community in a small town of Arizona came together and sang songs about being a patriot and how there was a very real feeling of fear for what was going to happen next. If nothing else, I’d just like to leave this post with a plea to take a moment today to think back to that day 25 years ago and try to remember what all you can from back then. And if you feel so moved to write it down, whether it be in a journal entry or a more creative piece of writing, please do! You don’t even need to feel obligated to share your words unless you want to. I firmly believe that writing is a very therapeutic practice and can do a lot of good if given the chance. 

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If you’d like to see any of your art or writing featured on The Albatross, please send your original work to info@djdfoundation.org

Thank you all for your dedicated audience and for all of your help in growing this platform. We couldn’t do what we do without each and every one of you. 

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See you in October!