Thank you, son for the picture. I wanted one just like it, so I stole it.
I thought so much about this, the 4th, Independence Day. Our freedom..
We had a great day. Trinity had duties as “Young Miss Auburn, and Erin and I ejoyed that time. Trin is such a natural at these things. She is caring of other people, encouraging to the younger kids and is genuinely interested in them.
Mike BBQ’s hotdogs and wrapped them in foil and we packed stuff up in the ASAP vans and went to be in the parade. Noah sat in the middle of Kathryn and Joey in one van and Zion with Mike and I in the other . Erin and Harold were along the parade route because Trin was in the “royalty” convertible, they took pictures. It was fun waving and stuff at people along the route to the Fairgrounds. We were able to see people we knew and it was a kick. We got to the traditional place at 2nd Base on baseball field where we sit and watch the fireworks…eat those dogs, chips and cookies and watch people. It was great fun.
When fireworks start, traditionally, for me….fireworks are okay…one display is like another, only to me, I know. So, what I find that I do is pray. Like Annie said…Randy, also. I am glad, grateful to be an American. As I child I grew up in a time when there was “patriotism” . I watched eagerly, (don’t laugh) the political conventions. In that era, I must have been 9-10 yrs. When someone portrayed the President on TV, the face was never shown out of respect for the Office, not the man. It put a respect in my heart. As time has gone on, for whatever reason, things have changed dramatically. I do not even pretend to know why, or how. I certainly will not debate the issue. It does make me sad though. There was a sweetness then about how we felt as American’s. When those fireworks start, I thank the Lord for the freedom that we have to freely decorate vans that we use for the company that we own. For the kindness of being able to drive down the main street in our little town and wave our flags with our neighbors and their children and grandparents. To have the parade end in the Fairgrounds that house our little fair ever year, where Sookie goes to Dog school and where the pageant was that Trin helped out. Freedoms to join together as a community and celebrate that freedom. Matt and Yuki were there..this made me grateful that right there in our little family was Yuki from Japan and those sweet Japanese/American babies. Joey, our new Mexican family member, and Natalie with her son, who is half black and the baby is also mixed. The freedom to have this family the Lord put together. The kindness and generosity of the Lord , for whatever reason He chose, we do not have to scrounge for clean water, food or to make a living. We live in well lite, clean homes with all the things we need, not even to mention…want. When so much of our world and even our country is struggling. Right here and right now, I am grateful. Do I think about those less fortunate, exactly my point. Why? I don’t know. God is God and I am not. We have been singing this song at church, about..’that’s just the way it is”. Do I think its fair, no. Do I understand it, no. But right here and right now, like I said, I am grateful. Grateful for America, for those people who gave their lives for us to be in parades and laugh together. Grateful for the health of my family, for the sweet expressions on babies faces as they see the fireworks for the very first time. Grateful for how the Lord fills my life with love and for His compassion and forgiveness. Grateful for salvation and our church. Grateful for teams of my friends heading out today for Africa to help and educate those sweet people who the Lord also loves, but do not have the freedoms we have here. Grateful, that even though we cannot be with Brody, Kristin and the boys, and miss then terribly, they had a great time in Nashville with their friends. They are safe and laughing and happy. So, today Lord I am again grateful to You, “He Himself gives to all life and breath and all things”…Acts 17:25.
Barb, what a sweet and thoughtful post.
We spent the Fourth at my parents’ house and found out for the FIRST TIME that we can see the Auburn fireworks from the pool!!! It only took 24 years.
God bless.
That was beautiful, I’m so glad you are writing about these things. I can picture everything. Happy 4th to you too.