America

This night was PERFECT. Molly, Grace, Griffin, and I went first to Delaware to support the Delaware Youth Committee. I saw an old classmate, Shannon Duncan, who was (wo)manning the stand. We promptly made our way over to the food, where we ran into Kathy, who proceeded to make us the best sno-cones $0.50 can buy! We chose pink lemonade, pink lemonade, cherry, and tiger's blood, respectively.

Then, back to Nowata to visit the Trinity stand out by the park. I managed to stay within my preset budget. Neither place we visited tonight had much action, so we were able to visit with the nice folks running them. And, that BREEZE! The kind of breeze that takes all the sticky, stagnant air and moves it out of your way, as if to go ahead of you in line just to hold open the door: "Here, let me get that for you."  Just...lovely!

I'm glad I listened to myself and acted on my whim tonight. I love summer. I love America. I love our flag, and the true story behind its beautiful and purposeful design. I love my kids and I am thankful every day they are United States citizens. I have to admit, I love small-town life, too. I love that when I smile at somebody, they have the decency to smile back.  I love that when I walk down my road, some friendly someone always stops and asks me if I need a ride.  I love that I can choose to worship where, and how, I desire.  I love that I can own one gun or 50, and I appreciate the efforts of so many before me who have made it their life's work and passion to preserve our liberties, our freedoms, our America.  I appreciate the true patriots, the working class, the ones who won't settle for the dumbing-down of America that has become a way of life for crooked government, but instead get up every day, make an honest living, and then at the end of the day thank God for the freedom and the ability to live in a country where we CAN labor in whatever capacity we choose.

And yes, it is true:  I love the fireworks.  Night works, really, those are the ones I love the most.  The big, starry displays in the sky, watching them, make me cry some years, depending upon just how hard the year has been up until that point in early July, when, nights like tonight happen and we are left with the stark realization of just how fortunate, how BLESSED we are to be able to live right here, in the greatest country in the world.  The gratitude I feel for this very privilege is something that runs deep and wide in me, a river of thankfulness that will flow for as long as my heart intends to beat.  ​I remain thankful.  May God continue to bless Our America, and may we continue to pray for God-fearing leaders in their guidance  of this great nation.  

​Happy Independence Day, from my heart to yours.  <3