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We asked; you responded. Your feelings about America. In just four words.

It’s hard to do.

But enough of that.

In the end, we heard from more than 50 of you ­— via e-mail, letters, postcards and Twitter.

A few phrases were repeated, some several times. Others were unique.

We heard from 101-year-old Willa Lawrence of Stokesdale and 11-year-old Matthew Vernon of Greensboro.

And we got responses from students in Jill Wagner’s ESL class at GTCC.

A few of you, such as Jan Laughlin of Randleman, shared the thinking behind your phrase: “I awoke with this word 'infallible’ on my mind. ... It’s a 'sure’ word, an absolute and trustworthy word.”

Inside are Fourth of July greetings from Laughlin and others for “our country — our never-failing country.”

A sampling of responses:

Their sacrifice, our freedom.
— Nancy Grove, Greensboro

Infallible Americans standing together.
— Jan Laughlin, Randleman

Opportunity, equality, our democracy.
— Tomas Chavez, Greensboro (from Cuba)

Land of the free.
— Willa Lawrence, Stokesdale, and Karen Jones, Reidsville

America the beautiful: home.
— Dorothy C. Latham, Greensboro

Best place I’ve been!
— Elsie Allen, Greensboro

Many Americans as one.
— Matthew Vernon, Greensboro

Freedom dearly paid for.
— Brenda Smith Boyce, Greensboro

Solidarity. Respect. Persistent. History.
— Adan Martinez Cerda, Greensboro (from Mexico)

America the beautiful one.
— Brenda Church, Brown Summit

Every life has value.
— Ni Tial, Greensboro (from Myanmar)

Freedom is not free.
— Clara Sheene, Ruffin

Unlimited opportunities for everyone.
— Ingrid Dexter, Jamestown

The freedom to worship.
We stand as one.
Life, love, laugh, care.
Our servicemen are heroes.
— Joe Seigla, Greensboro

Sweet land of liberty.
— Phyllis Rollins, Greensboro; Ralph Toalston, Greensboro; Royce H. Riddick, Greensboro

Freedom to serve God.
— Arcola Eaton, Whitsett

Government will be governing.
— Chit Lone, Greensboro (from Myanmar)

We’re diverse and free.
— Don Walker Sr., Greensboro

Washington, Lincoln, FDR, JFK.
— Archie R. Price, Liberty

Entrepreneurial can-do attitude matched.
— @SuzanneYada (Twitter)

God lives in USA.
— Silvestre Camacho Casique, Greensboro (from Mexico)

Stand strong, stand free.
— Jim Brewer

I love my country.
— N. Kumar Lakhavani, Greensboro

Our Constitution is alive.
— Gwendolyn M. Bookman, Durham

In God we trust.
— John L. Privette, Stokesdale; Jim Swaim, Lexington; Steve Shore, Pfafftown; Ken White, Eden

Opportunities. Parks. Roads. Libraries.
— Juan Ventura, Greensboro (from El Salvador)

Better than anywhere else.
— Ruby M. Bailey, Greensboro

The land of opportunity.
— Sandra Tetterton, Madison

One nation under God.
— Anthony Vaughn, Summerfield

Have future with English.
— Randly Rahlan, Greensboro (from Vietnam)

Thank you have me.
— Anhun Ksor, Greensboro (from Vietnam)

One America for all.
— Shirley J. Wright, Greensboro

Mind our own businesses.
— H. (Sal) Salvador, Greensboro

Hardworking, loyal, protective.
Red, white, true blue.
— Harriette Lee

Freedom, beauty, honor, serve.
— Gene Lasley, Reidsville

America, valor and sacrifice.
— Marvin Cohen, Reidsville

Peaceful change of government.
— Carol H. Campbell, Greensboro

God and country forever.
— Charles Edwards, Pleasant Garden

The ability to care.
— Frankie Ann Pitts, Greensboro

Hope for something better.
— Sheila Cranshaw, Greensboro

The Bill of Rights.
— @carolcdt (Twitter)

Barack Obama is president.
— @YElliot (Twitter)

Uncensored political television satirists.
Cleanliness of water supply.
Growth of organic produce.
— @AmySegreti (Twitter)

Liberty ... justice for all.
— Pat Scudiere, Greensboro

We free the oppressed.
— John Appel, Greensboro

Freedom for all people.
— Berla Lasley, Reidsville

Elected a black president!
— Susan Farr, Greensboro

United people are free.
— Lora Antonelli Farlow, Greensboro

Diversity fortifies our independence.
— Jean Ann Wood, Eden

Diversity and great opportunity.
— Donna Taylor, High Point

God’s grace, abounding beauty.
— Nancy L. Matsey, Greensboro