Hello Everyone! Happy 4th of July! Happy Independence Day!
I’m writing this post early because I plan on being in the water on this wonderful day. What are your plans for today?
What does Independence Day mean to me? I ponder this question as I sit at my keyboard and type. When I look back on my past I realize it’s a day of family. My family usually gathers at my mom’s place, which sits nestled on the shores of Wall Lake, and we all bring a dish to pass. We barbecue and eat and drink all day long. There are appetizers and the main meal…and then Desserts! (My favorite).
It’s a day of sharing our stories with members of the family we don’t see very often. We drink wine and converse and solve the problems of the world. LOL! We could run the country…if you don’t believe me just ask my family! 
The kids get weary of the high talk right away. They get together and play in the cool water. Some are brave and go tubing, which is always an adventure. Most of the kids are under the age of ten…so they haven’t all quite got their tubing legs yet.
The adults sit on the deck and chat or lounge in the water on floaties drinking their wine and sharing funny stories.
It’s a fun and relaxing time. It’s a celebration of our freedom that most days we take for granted, especially the younger generations. Many of us have not seen active combat or participated in anything like the Great Depression. So we don’t know how bad it can get.
In my opinion, that’s a good thing. Not that the younger generations take for granted their freedom, but that they haven’t seen bad times or active combat. War is horrific and I’m hoping that my children can be spared from participating in one.
I love how there are current ad campaigns calling our veterans heroes. I agree with these campaigns. We put athletes on a pedestal and pay them millions of dollars just because they entertain us. We sometimes forget the price of that entertainment. It’s not just the cost of a ticket. There’s somebody on the other side of the fence defending our right to have that kind of entertainment. Today I’d like to remember those soldiers who are defending us now, so we can enjoy our independence. I’d like to send out a virtual hug to you all and a huge thank you. I feel it’s not enough but it’s all I can do at this moment. We can never repay these soldiers for what they have done for us.
I’d also like to thank our veterans too; these soldiers of the past, who have allowed us to enjoy all of our 4th of July celebrations. Because of them, we all have gathered those familial memories that we share.
With all that said, I hope you enjoy your 4th of July a little bit more. I know I will. Have a great day everyone and thanks for stopping by and reading my post. If you’d like to share some of your 4th of July memories please do. I would love to read them. 
