The 4th of July

I like the fourth of July. It’s a celebration of not just our independence from England but it’s a celebration of the United States today.  It is a celebration of freedom, a celebration of what is right about America and a celebration of our right to criticize what we think is wrong and to criticize those governmental leaders we don’t agree with.

It’s a celebration of our friends and neighbors who are our fellow citizens.  It is a celebration of summer and a celebration of family.   It’s a day of barbeques, parades and patriotic music.  It’s a day when we wear red, white and blue. I might look goofy in those colors but when I wear them in honor of our country it is ok to look goofy.

Freedom of speech and freedom to choose a religion, or to choose to have no religion, are wonderful gifts of the Constitution. I will celebrate those gifts tomorrow.

 

When I hear “America the Beautiful” sung I get goose bumps and I usually join in the singing, loudly and pretty much off key, but that is ok with me.

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

I like to see all of the American Flags that are raised on the 4th of July.  The 13 stripes representing the 13 colonies who took the risk to claim independence and the 50 stars representing the bond that we all have.   

 

In Utah the 4^th of July is usually hot and sunny and will be again this year.  I hope to go for an early morning bike ride, followed by golf with the Lovely Sharon and then crash on the back deck. Listening to fireworks (hoping the neighbors don't set anything on fire), feeling the warm summer evening air on my skin, and feeling thankful to be an American.

Happy 4^th of July my friends.