6.29.2010

Dreaming of red, white and blue...

It just occurred to me a few days ago that the 4th of July is nearly here! And it also just occurred to me that I'll be missing out on the American celebrations for the first time in my life. Which, of course, I'll have to do my best to remedy by making a playlist of every patriotic song I can get my hands on and cleaning off my stove-top grill for some steaks and chicken. Or I might have to consider burgers... this bad boy from MarthaStewart.com looks pretty good.


We'll load up on some Coors Light at the store and rent a movie like Top Gun or some other classic American film. Any suggestions?

I think it's time to start streaming 99.5 The Wolf and think red, white and blue thoughts.

Patriotic gazebo from MarthStewart.com

These are some shots of our 4th of July party last year with some friends in Katy. Gosh, I'd give anything to be in that hot Texas heat, enjoying a nice cold pool and a fresh beer right now! I also miss my precious dogs, Jersey and Shiner!




Yep, this will be the "leanest" Fourth we'll ever have. No BBQ grills or fun-filled swimming pools, no Bud Light and, sadly, none of our friends. But we will remember this Fourth for a long, long time. Like during every patriotic get-together after this, when Mike and I will turn to each other and say, "Remember when we celebrated Independence Day, just the two of us, living in Scotland? That was so crazy!"

We are proud Americans by default, Texans at heart.


I still get misty-eyed when I think about all those who have loved and lost so that we can experience the freedom we have today. The freedom to think for ourselves, to pursue our dreams, to live our lives the way we choose, to simply be.

Not everyone in this world gets to experience such freedom. It's a well-earned commodity that often comes at a high price. Our nation's forefathers were the ground-breaking thinkers of their time, the strong-willed cornerstones of a greater America.

"...one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all."

It pains me to think that there are actually people out there who want to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance. Have you lost so much faith in your country, in your fellow mankind, that you have become cynical enough to forsake the very being that brought you life? Shame on you.

We sit in our office chairs or behind our teacher's desks, we live in a world where electronics are our mainstream, our life source and means of communication. We live freely, with the ability to travel in our cars or planes anywhere we choose to go. We say what we think, we pursue what we want, we spend time with the people we deem important in our lives.

This was not always the case.   

There once was a country full of lion-hearted patriots, men and women who proudly lived and died for their land. Who bravely fought for their right to simply speak out, to set an example, to showcase their passion.

They have passed this nation onto us, laid it in our hands for safe-keeping and nuturing. And if we're not careful, we'll tear it apart from the inside out. There are still brave souls in this country, most of them are across the ocean fighting a war they are no longer supported in. Isolated from their America, criticized by their countrymen.

Is this what our great America has come to?

Stand up and be proud of your soldiers, be proud of your freedom. Be proud of your country.

Be proud to be an American.


5 comments:

  1. WOW!! Amen and YEAH on this blog post!! Well said! As to the movie suggestions....remember when we used to watch Independence Day every 4th of July? The first time was the day we returned from a Canadian vacation (after Nationals in Buffalo).....that's always a good choice! Lots of great quotes!
    "Let's try that again....this time without the 'oops'." OR...."I have GOT to get me one of these things!!!"

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  2. That's a great idea for a 4th of July movie!! Will have to rent that one as well.

    I love America!!!

    :)

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  3. Great post! A few years ago I spent the 4th in Spain with strangers. We went to an American pizza joint! It was awesome!

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  4. AnonymousJune 30, 2010

    Sorry to rain on your parade, but your whole spiel about the pledge of alliegiance really bothers me.

    Isn't one of God's foremost teachings "do not judge"? If someone doesn't believe in God, it is not your place to tell them "shame on you". And removing "under God" has less to do with "denying" God and more about upholding separation of Church and State, in order to protect everyone from persecution based on their religious beliefs.

    Plenty of those who have sacrificed for this nation are agnostic or atheist, as well as Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, etc.

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  5. All good points, my anonymous friend, but my goal was to point out that America the Beautiful must be a united nation. One that works together rather than dividing itself over and over because we have the gift of freedom.

    Every person certainly has their right to a belief system of their choice. But pride does go before a fall... and if our country was founded upon a Pledge of Allegiance that says "under God" and it's worked out so well for us thus far, why should it suddenly offend us? I am not saying "shame on you" for not believing in God, as much as I am for not believing in our country as it stands. I feel, personally, that so many of the cornerstones this nation was built on are beginning to crumble. We must all stand strong together, regardless of race or religion.

    And that's what this blog is about - telling my life's story with an occasional dose of passionate politics!

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