So we Americans call this celebration day “Happy Fourth of July.” Are we happy because of our independence from Britain 241 years ago or are we happy that we have another day off from our daily duties at work? For some we may have to work and if you are a parent, there are no days off.
As the years go by and I get older I wonder what my children will remember this day as? Is it the beautiful fireworks, loud noises, fun sparklers, marching in parades, summer picnics or fun with friends.
From my childhood memory bank it’s the fireworks I remember most and how we would only see them on the Fourth of July. As I got older, learned history in school, I appreciated the freedom part but questioned its validity. Is freedom not without cost of some kind? Be it money, guilt or trading of some kind? I’m no historian, (www.history.com) I hated reading or hearing about any war, as history always involves wars, yet somehow the leaders were the courageous, victorious and remembered ones. Why? How many men and women and families broken did it take for that passage we call freedom. From the Native Americans who were kicked to the curb, led to leave their lands on their trail of tears to the American revolution leaving many more dead. Is that leader a hero, was war necessary, perhaps in ending slavery, yet it still exits today (human trafficking) . Do we remember the names of those before us who fought in vain? Humans are not numbers, they are Just like everyone else. Immortal.
Fighting is such an ugly word, but not one person can stop it from happening. People fight their own family even if it doesn’t involve weapons or blood. While I respect and appreciate all walks of life, I have a distain of hatred for the evil that exists and the people who perpetuate anger, hatred and wars on others.
For now, like many others I plan to enjoy the fireworks for the freedom it symbolizes and the lives it saved and the lives that saved us.
Freedom does come with a heafty cost and I sure wish it wasn’t from the tragic lives already lost.
Happy Fouth to those in America and those who celebrate around the globe with us! God bless America and this World.
