Happy (Sappy) Fourth of July!
TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: I’m a mess on the Fourth of July. I choke up just seeing the American flag. I get all misty remembering Fourths we spent at the local park when the kids were younger, having picnics, cheering at the hometown baseball team’s traditional July 4th
double header, eating hand-cranked ice cream and ballpark hot dogs.
An all-American day of fun, topped off with fireworks. Ooooh! Ahhhhhh!
Yep, I get real sappy around the Fourth of July, but it’s more than just sentimentality. It’s patriotism.
I love this country of ours, from sea to shining sea and everything in between.
I’m proud to be an American and I always have been, taught by my parents, part of the “Greatest Generation,” to appreciate the amazing gifts this country affords its citizens. Gifts we dare not take for granted.
It all began with a notion–some truths that wise men deemed “to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (If you haven’t read the Declaration of Independence lately, it’s worth checking out.)
And from that notion grew the nation we celebrate this week. A nation of citizens free to disagree about the best way to ensure those rights, even as millions around the world can only dream of being part of that kind of discussion. How fortunate we are!
So this week I’ll be humming “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful” and other tributes to freedom and this great land.
What’s your favorite patriotic tune? The song in my heart today is Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.” If you can, click the link, crank up the volume and stand up with me right now and sing along:
“And I’m proud to be an American
Where at least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land…
God bless the USA!”
Ah… <sniff!> that one gets me every time… and it reminds me: to our military and their families, THANK YOU for your service to all of us! We appreciate you!
May you and yours have a wonderful, safe–and maybe even sappy–Fourth of July!
Good to know I am not the only sap. Heck I even get misty eyed during the parade we watch every year.
I am proud to be an American. I am proud of each and every person that is serving and protecting our country.
Hugs.
Yes, parades get me every time too… MP)
(Saps Unite!
Comment by Laurel — June 30, 2009 @ 6:48 am
Amen, Mary!!! I blogged about this for Memorial Day, and agree 100%, including getting choked up when I hear the songs or see the flag go by at a parade.
I’m thrilled my kids still get excited when they see the American flag, and I’m looking forward to sharing the meaning of the 4th (we’ve already begun!) with another foreign exchange student, this year!
Happy 4th of July to you all, as well!!! Oh! The three little bears have now made their way to *our* neighborhood!!! :-}
MP)
(I’m the same way at parades! Enjoy “Da Bears”!
Comment by Leza — June 30, 2009 @ 7:55 am
Love this song also. God Bless America, Statute of Liberty gets me every time. It’s Time to Pray is excellent one too. You’re a Grand Old Flag is nice a peppie.
MP)
(So many great songs out there! Sing ‘em loud and proud!
Comment by abi — June 30, 2009 @ 8:28 am
From Bob P: “You are so right! All of us need to show our love for OUR COUNTRY before we lose it. God bless Mary and her family.”
MP)
(Amen, Brother Bob!
Comment by Mary Pierce — June 30, 2009 @ 8:41 am
Sheila W says: “Me too! Just read your blog. I so agree. Gave me goose bumps. Sent my uncle a thank you recently as he was honored with a WW II Legacy Stone. He called me. Amazing how tearful and sentimental these guys still are. Their war experiences are still very vivid in their minds. I thank all of them for the country we have been able to live in.”
MP)
(Absolutely! If not for all of those brave Americans, where would we be today? God bless them!
Comment by Mary Pierce — June 30, 2009 @ 8:49 am
And Karen P passed this along: “For Mary and all of us who are her sappy friends, here is a link:
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_dzCO2SiQQ
Poor video quality, but great singing and sweet story. God Bless America!”
(Thanks Karen! Be SURE you grab the Kleenex b4 u watch this folks!
MP)
Comment by Mary Pierce — June 30, 2009 @ 10:51 am