Independence Day; a reflection

Whew!!

Finally, the Fourth of July weekend is past!

I am just about rested up from the four day long fun-fest.

We observed the time-honored traditions; had a bar-be-cue with family. Pulled muscles participating in a family game of kick-ball. Got sun-burned. Ate too much. Got bitten by mosquitoes while observing Fourth of July fireworks. Sat in traffic for half an eternity on way home from observing fireworks.

Saw some irate drivers having own fire-works display, much to amusement of on-lookers.

Let's see... went to amusement park, got more sun-burned, and slight case of nausea from over-indulging on rides with grandchildren. Ate too much, again. Went to tour tall ships with son and daughter-in-law (have not seen in nearly a year, live in Florida), got sunburned. Went to Slyman's, ate too much. After seeing tall ships, met daughter and son-in-law, their children at Fanucee's... guess what?? Ate too much. Fell into bed Saturday night. Attended First Church of the Pillow Sunday morning. Reflected upon our Independence Day.

While the 56 delegates to the Philadelphia convention in 1776 haggled, debated, and hammered out a Declaration of Independence in that humid, hot, steamy Summer; little did they know just what the future of this new nation would be. To be sure, they had aspirations, dreams, and not a little trepidation as well.

For 237 years, this nation has remained through unbridled expansion, unbridled prejudice, religious revivals, periods of agnosticism, warfare far from our shores, warfare upon our lands, economic upheaval, economic boom-times, ultra-conservatism, ultra-liberalism. In effect, the history of America has been a microcosm of Ecclesiastes chapter Three... there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven.

I don't know if you have ever received the “Chicken Little” e-mails, comparing America of the 21^st Century to the final days of the Roman Empire. Here is a news flash: this same idiotic comparison of America to hedonistic Rome has been floating around since the 1960s that I know of. We are still here. We are still “one Nation under God, indivisible”.

The writer is not living in a land tinted by rose-colored glasses. Nor does the writer have an acute case of Pollyanna-itis; not everything is great and wonderful in America. Nor, has everything ever been great and wonderful in America. And, there will never be a time when everything is great and wonderful in America. See, I am a firm believer in Genesis chapter Three; but we won't partake of theological debates at this time.

Yes, I am proud of America. I am proud of her history. I look forward to a bright future for America.

I have the same mind-set as Esther; for such a time as this, we are here. To make a positive contribution, to teach the next generation, to welcome a family of new-comers to our nation; and teach them our history, to leave even a small piece of this land better than we found it.

While those 56 delegates perspired, and haggled, and compromised 237 years ago; we can enjoy Life, with Liberty, and pursue Happiness with out fear, with out retribution, and in peace.

God Bless America.