Long nights and Fireworks

This Fourth of July marked our first celebration as a family. As we gathered on our blanket under the stars I marveled at how blessed we truly are. I could think of a million things I was thankful for:

The explosions over our heads were those of celebration, not war.

We could lay together as a family and not have to worry about safety or harm.

As a woman, I was free to speak what thoughts came into my head and wear what clothing I choose. I was free to choose my own activities without permission from others. I was free to be with the man I loved and have children when I felt the time was right.

There was no fear that my thoughts towards politics or religion could be punished.

All these thoughts and more raced through my head as Yankee Doodle Dandy played in the background and red lights danced overhead. Perhaps it's not cool to be patriotic these days, but let us all be thankful.

Let us all be thankful that we live in a country where debate is used to settle arguments and not guns.

Let us be thankful that the very government and laws we rally against are the very ones that allow us to have voices.

Let us all be thankful we have voice and an ability to participate in our destiny.

Let us be thankful to the men and women who have sacrificed to get us here.

Let us be thankful we are here to celebrate a country that gives us these very rights.

Happy Fourth of July