Day 199- Independence Day

In the world of commercialism and in the country of the United States, we're pretty good about forgetting the true meaning of holidays.  They become about gifts or overpaid athletes or meals or tv specials (don't get me wrong, I enjoy all of these very much, but still...).  However, the beauty of the Fourth of July is that people still seem to grasp what it is about, and they celebrate accordingly.

Today in church we sang "America the Beautiful."  That was nice.
Tom and I had ribs tonight, and we have been BBQing all weekend.  That was nice too.
We heard and saw fireworks alllllll over the place.  Also nice.
We get to spend an extra day together tomorrow while Tom gets paid.  Obviously nice.
We exercise our freedoms and rights daily and are more than thankful to live in a country where we can do all of these things and realize our dreams to the fullest extent.  "Nice" just isn't enough for this one.

One 4th I remember with fondness was when Manda and I were in elementary school (I think), and we decided to put on a show for my parents on our front porch.  We pulled out all of the songs we had ever learned in music class that had anything to do with America.  The classics.  I'm sure you're familiar.  I think my big moment was "Proud to be an American."  I really belted it with pride for country.  It must have been such a pleasure to listen to.  Manda stole the show, though.   I forget what song she sang for the big finale, but what I do know is that it ended with some kind of lyrics involving red, white, and blue and her simultaneously wearing red, white, and blue underwear.  How we never got our two woman patriotic show on Broadway is beyond me.  Perhaps we are just ahead of our time.

On a more serious note, I'd like to take a moment to sincerely thank all of the men and women who serve and have served this great nation-- military people and police people and fire people and medical people and lawyer people and teacher people and engineer people and farmer people and country music singer people and Americorps people... the list goes on and on... and yes, sometimes (SOMETIMES) politician people.  Americans know how to protect and serve and build and learn and change and lead.  I'm proud to be an American today and those other 364 days of the year.

Thank you, Independence Day, you made my day.        

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