Happy Independence Day!

It's not lost on me - the real meaning of this holiday. I do have a deep appreciation for being lucky enough to have been born in a country that, despite it's sometimes political and religion-fueled madness, does afford the majority of the people in it equal rights. I say "majority" because though we have come very far, there are still miles to go before we all feel our right to equality. But that's neither here nor there and not the reason I wanted to write this blog post.

I get it. I get the meaning. But I am not an overly patriotic person. I mean, I love the parades and the fireworks but it doesn't really hold a deeper thrill for me other than just something uniquely American to do on July 4th. In my family, I am something of a black sheep in this regard. You see, I do support our military. They have a very difficult and life changing job. I do think that, in spite of some drawbacks, our government does try to help. It just sometimes missed the mark both here and abroad. I do think that the US offers some of the most spectacularly beautiful natural sights in the world. I do think that the average American is a good person, deep down, and would help you out in a pinch. I do think that, in my lifetime, race relations have gotten better and people have begun seeing each other as people and not colors. Still, there is far to go. I believe all of this but I don't think that these things are just unique to the US. I know that other countries have gone much farther down the road to assist humanity in peaceful ways. I know that some other countries do not let their politics or religion define them. Some other countries, not all. There will always be those that are very religiously driven. I believe patriotism should be a quiet inner pride. The showy flag waving is pretty much just for show anyway. It's what you do the rest of the year that matters.

Having said all of that, I know that this holiday means something else to my family. It means a blow out balls to the wall cook out barbecue party! So, it's off to my nieces house now with my dish to pass in hand. It's ungodly hot out there today so they've had to set up a "misting tent" just so the party goers don't pass out and die! But we'll be out there...come hell or high water. (I wish we had high water!!) And tonight there will be fire works! So, that will be fun!

To all of you, in the US and other places, have a great Fourth of July!