I'm not free in every way that matters to me. My country does not love me. If it did my answer might be different and I would like to know how many people feel their countries love them? Those answers would interest me.
Your answer is intriguing to me. From the beginning of white settlement in Australia the colonials saw the land (environment) as dangerous and threatening. The land needed to be tamed but the indigenous people saw it very differently. They lived in harmony with the natural world.
By the time I was born the first nation people had been pushed to the edges and I was not aware of their presence. I grew up in the suburbs of a big city. We were not rich but we had enough for our needs and my father introduced us to what Aussies call "the bush". I fell in love with it as a child and love it still.
On another plane, Australia gave me the gifts of a good education and affordable health care and as a young woman with children, had the security of a good job and a home to share with Hubby and our daughter and son. We had good neighbours who were also friends and to this day we still live in the same house and our now younger neighbours are good to us. We can call on any of them for help when we need to.
So, to answer your question
@chic, I do feel that my country loves me because it cares for me. I recently had a car accident which was entirely my fault and I have never felt more cared for by strangers who came to my aid and by my insurance company, the tow truck operators, the repair shop and the hire car company. All were very helpful when I needed help. Strangers who passed by paused to ask if they could help, and could they bring us some water.
Some people look askance at the way Australia has managed Covid, thinking that we are an oppressed people, but the way I see it is that every effort has been made to save as many lives as possible during a time when knowing exactly what the right approach should be was not possible. Mistakes were made but most people did their best to keep each other safe, and I take that a sign that where I live people do care about the welfare of others.
Australians are great volunteers. We have volunteer lifesavers, first aiders, firefighters and people who work on committees, in youth groups and for charities. We see this as "doing our bit" for the country because we have something to offer. Another sign that people care about each other.
I am sure that the things I have described are not unique to my country but they are another reason why I love my homeland. I love the land and I love the people who live here.
