4th of July: Fun, Freedom and Honor

[SophiaofLight]

July 4 is always a time for fun and celebration.  Parades and festivals. Camping with family and friends. A day at the beach. Swimming and picnics. Backyard barbecues with  the smell of hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. And of course the endless dishes of potato salad, baked beans,and coleslaw. Chips and a cooler of ice cold beer. And if we are lucky, home made ice cream, cold watermelon or  s'mores for dessert. Kids begging for sparklers and the little plastic champagne bottles that toss confetti when snapped open. A child's excitement as he or she is asking all day long when it's time to go to the fireworks.

Ah yes, that wonderful celebration of fireworks that always takes us back to our own childhood.  A blanket spread on the ground. Looking up at the beauty of them, feeling pure  joy. Sheer magic in the air as the colors explode above us: reds, blues, greens that make us exclaim in ooo's and ahh's. We celebrate the music, the lights that pop and boom, a festival for our hearts and souls.

But the 4th of July is much more than fun. It is the day that our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in hopes that we would have freedom and the life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We were in the birth pains of a nation being born. Born in their hearts that one day we could have freedom from England and establish a new and very different kind of life in this country, which became the United States of America. It was never easy going, so many hardships. But they fought on in the cold, sometimes without good shoes and no coats. They cherished the ideal of this nation and they fought with bravery and courage. They endured so we could have so many freedoms.

So besides having fun today take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made for us, both those many years ago and for those who fight today. We owe them that for keeping us free. Honor those in the military who are doing their jobs, who are willing to die for freedom so that we may have it. Honor their courage, bravery and honor. And honor their spouses, children, and parents too because they also make the sacrifice.  If you see someone in uniform, thank them for their service. Honor the vets of this country who served proudly in their time. Take a minute of silence and say a prayer for them all. You can sleep peacefully at night because they are on the front lines keeping us all safe.

Wishing you all a safe and happy 4th of July.

 

Copyright SSL  July 4 2009