Happy Forchuly!

TODAY’S LAUGH: I have the picture around here somewhere. It’s the town band of Kingston Minnesota, posing in the early 1900′s in front of a huge American flag. My grandfather (DaPapa of DaMama) is there holding a cornet. The men are recent immigrants from Finland, gathered there in front of the flag, all dressed up in their clean white shirts, to play a concert on the American holiday they called, in their second-language English, “Forchuly.”

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Family lore says that my grandfather left Finland to avoid conscription into the Russian army. He and some of his friends there in the picture were Communists. And my grandfather was an atheist. And he loved America. He was free here to be who he was.

And here I am, the descendant of this draft-dodging, leftist atheist – leaning in the opposite direction in every way (Can you imagine the discussions we could have had!) – loving America too!

How can it be? Because this is America and we are free to be who we are here. This is America and there’s no other place on earth I’d rather live. I’m proud to be an American, and grateful to have the privilege. I’m grateful my forebears were welcome here.

This is America and this Forchuly, I’ll be singing the prayer that’s in my heart. Sing along if it’s your prayer, too.

God bless America, land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above;

From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America, my home, sweet home.
God bless America, my home, sweet home.

Amen, amen… and again I say, amen! And a happy “Forchuly” to all!

(“God Bless America” written by Irving Berlin)

FINAL BIRTHDAY MONTH GIVEAWAY: This week’s free book winner is JUDY STRIGEL. CONGRATULATIONS! Check back in coming weeks for more great giveaways. Thanks to all who participated this month!