Two hundred and fifty years is no small achievement. History is filled with nations and empires that rose quickly, seemed permanent for a time and then disappeared.America has endured for two and a half centuries—not because it has been free of conflict, but because it has repeatedly found ways to adapt and move forward.The last decade has tested plenty of assumptions about the strength of our institutions and the health of our democracy. There is no shortage of turmoil and Political Wire readers certainly know better than most how much is at stake in the fights ahead.Still, I remain optimistic about the country’s future.I came to politics in the first place because I am deeply patriotic. I love this country—its energy, its contradictions, its capacity for reinvention and its belief that tomorrow can be better than today. Few people enjoy traveling the world as much as me — but there is nowhere else I would rather call home.I hope you have a fun, safe and restful holiday!