July 4, 2021. Independence Day In America
Why Can’t We Be Friends Like We Used To Be?
Like our Savior Jesus Christ wants us to be.
TODAY-
It’s 10 AM here in the upper midwest where I grew up and have lived most of my life. It’s already 82° going up to 93° by this afternoon. I love hot weather! I had to plant some grass seed recently and this weather seems to be working wonders. Went to church yesterday so today is all for relaxation, slept in a little.
So I brewed up a pot of french press coffee – my current favorite way to brew, pulled a Drew Estate cigar out of my humidor and headed out to my patio with my goodies and trusty companion Toto (my 5 year old Yorkie). Yes I’m a big Wizard Of Oz fan. Jonathan Drew, founder of Drew Estate, and his fraternity brother and business partner Marvin Samel are a true American success story. They started out small, selling cigars from a kiosk in the World Trade Center in NYC. Now, Drew Estate Cigars are one of the most respected and highly decorated makers of fine cigars. Their lines include Liga Privada (the F9 is a fav) and the Acid brand, among others. Only in America!
I hooked up my Bluetooth speaker with my Fire HD and turned on my 4th of July playlist. Music is a big part of who I am. I am a playlist junkie, LOL. The playlist is filled with songs celebrating our great nation, America. It leans heavily toward Country music as that’s where most patriotic music comes from. It includes other selections as well though, including some CCM- Christian Contemporary Music and Punk Rock (my overall fav genre). Check it out here.
We currently live in what I would call a “Hyper-Political” time. It seems that wherever you look, the news is cloaked in political viewpoints. This Liberal said this, this Conservative said that. It’s draining. Sure we live in a nation with faults and problems. Our past, and present, is not without its mistakes. Granted some huge ones! BUT it’s still the BEST system ever created. On this day why can’t we celebrate the overwhelming positives and commit to fixing the remaining negatives. Why can’t we get back to our Judeo Christian values? Values of Love, Respect, Kindness, and Forgiveness. It’s not like we haven’t righted many of the wrongs already! Why do you think America is still the place people the world over strive to come to, sometimes at great peril. It pains me to see all of the division and even hatred displayed on our ballfields and TV sets. In our boardrooms and in our personal conversations.
What I believe is lacking is the role of Christianity and its message of love that needs to move again to the forefront of life, American life.
Why Can’t We All Just Get Along!
YESTERDAYS-
When I was a youngster my family would spend the 4th of July at a nearby VFW post. It was an all day picnic that always ended with a fantastic fireworks show. The post had several softball fields and would host a one day tournament. I never played in those but between hot dogs and orange soda pops I would wander over and watch our friends compete. The idyllic days of childhood. I remember laying a blanket out under a tree, with our cooler and grill by our side. We would gorge ourselves on hot dogs, potato salads and chips. Periodically the adults would mosey on up to the bar located inside the VFW post for a cold one. Bringing back to our spot a fresh pitcher of beer, us kids would hope for, and frequently receive, an ice cream treat or popsicle. The adults never forgot about us. The adults also never talked politics like we seem to today. The subject of diversity or difference never came up. Looking back I remember the crowd being diverse on its own, racially, ethnically and I’m sure politically. It just never came up. Why does it have to today?
The night would always end in a big fireworks show. I remember as I got a little older, into my teens, I would sometimes meet a like minded young gal and hold hands under the bright explosions and try to steal a kiss from my newfound friend. We would always promise to see each other again but hardly ever did. A harmless right of passage to adulthood I figure.
My Mom always loved the fireworks show. It’s one of my lasting memories of her. The OOHS & AHHS at each blast of bright lights and loud bangs. The ones that whistled were her favs. To this day watching the fireworks shows always brings a tear to my eye. Mom has long ago been called to her heavenly home.
After getting married and having kids of our own we would pack up and head off to the nearby county park or my Mother-In-Laws house for a cookout and the fireworks show on the 4th. I would always accentuate the blasts with loud OOHS & AHHS just like my Mom did in my youth. I would see out of the corner of my eye my kids kinda snicker at this but I hope someday they will carry on the tradition and maybe have to wipe a little tear from their eye as well.
In the resulting years my 4th of July celebrations have taken on different forms. My Sister & BIL had a big house party for a number of years. It was a great time for reconnecting with relatives and old friends, way better than the funerals that tend to be the only times we do this as we grow older. As usual and keeping with tradition we would end the night with a fireworks show of our own. Living out in the country a bit, the shows were by no means small. Here come those tears again.
TONIGHT-
It’ll be just me, my wife and trusty companion Toto. My 2 boys have taken a trip to “up north” Wisconsin for a week of fishing and bonding before the eldest moves on to Texas. My wife will probably retire early so it’ll be just me & Toto back out on the patio come dark. Nowadays the neighbors take care of the fireworks that I can see well from my home perch. I’ll grab a thick MUWAT cigar (another Drew Estate selection) and an ice cold orange soda. Maybe even popsicle to go with it. I’ll be sure to grab the kleenex as well as I’m sure there will be a tear or two.
I WILL SAY A PRAYER OF THANKS THAT I HAVE THE GOOD FORTUNE TO LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE I’M STILL FREE TO PRACTICE MY CHRISTIAN FAITH
PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES BELOW
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!