After the Colonial Festival, we went to Thanksgiving Point and hung out on the lawn with Buck's
family and waited for the fireworks. We ate good food, played some
games, and relaxed. The girls got spoiled and their grandparents
bought them a light up sword and wand and a bubble gun so they busied
themselves with that and making forts out of their camping chairs.
The firework show was actually not the best I've ever seen but
watching all my kids' reactions was worth it. But then trying to get
out of the parking lot was horrific. We literally didn't move an inch
for over an hour. I don't even know how we ever made it out.
Tough life for these girls
For some reason I'm feeling all pensive about the 4th this year.
I'm so humbly grateful for all that my ancestors did and others to
make this country and to give me the gospel. That night I
actually said, “I'm a little worried about how Rose will do with
the late night.” Like, I said that. That was the only thing I had
to worry about that day. THAT WAS IT. Not if I would be killed for
believing. Not if we were going to be bombed again. Not if my legs
were going to work or not. Not if we were going to have any food to
eat the next morning. My children got to sit there and be entertained
by exploding colorful bursts of glitter and fire. They have no idea
that it's a luxury to sit on a blanket with good family, sitting
around eating watermelon and playing games. They have no idea. And
that's how it should be for children, but sadly is not for so many in
the world. But yet, somehow, there we were.
My only worry if my baby
would get too sleepy.
But yet I also feel overwhelmed by the things that happened to get
us here, (like taking the land away from the Native Americans, for starters.) The
slavery, the civil war, civil rights, etc. And let's not even talk
about current news. It hasn't been a perfect picture. (I know nothing is. But) A lot of people
have suffered so that I could sit there and only worry about tired eyes.
People that shouldn't have suffered. I feel a weight from that. I
think I feel ashamed? I constantly carry a guilt and awareness that I
don't deserve all of this.
But I'm a believer in “where much is given, much is
required.”I hope that I can find ways to serve others and give what I have and share better. None of us really "own" this land. We are lucky to be here and should be willing to share and help those who need us. It's when I see those around me helping others with compassion, rather than withholding out of fear or hate, that I am most proud to be an American.
Sorry to get all dramatic on you all there for a minute. But, you know, fireworks are kind of dramatic too. 💥
Sorry to get all dramatic on you all there for a minute. But, you know, fireworks are kind of dramatic too. 💥
4 comments:
The world might be a better place with more people who are your version of dramatic
Jan Harrison
I understand your thoughts but I have come to realize that we aren't able to change the past. We can, however, be grateful for what we have because of the sacrifices of many and try to give back whenever and wherever we can. I think that you do that on a continual basis and I am so happy for the way you raise my granddaughters to give service to others. On another note, I really missed hearing patriotic music with the fireworks, it just wasn't the same. Love you!
Rachelle Louw Pew
There is definitely a lot of unfairness in the world and in history. If I didn't trust that through Jesus Christ all will be compensated and made right I would have a hard time enjoying my life. We have been given much and hopefully we serve and give and are grateful for what we have.
Jade Lowe
I don't have much to say. I agree with what you said. I do think that celebrating with family is a perfect way to thank those that went through hard trials to get us to this point. With that said i know that we are blessed to live in this country and shouldn't take our clean water and modern medicine for granted, i agree that showing service and compassion to others that aren't so lucky is a great way to show how grateful we are for all that others before us had to go through.
On a different note I love the picture of our four girls. And I will point out how clearly you can see my one really grey hair in the donut picture. For some reason I really take pride in that hair
The desire to be free. Freedom to choose your own religion, freedom to choose your own vocation, freedom to choose what grocery store you walk into. Freedom to choose is what drove our ancestors to this country and I love that word "freedom ". It is at the heart of all that is right and all that is worth fighting for and I truly believe that freedom to choose and follow your own religious beliefs is at the core of what made our nation what it is and of course one of the reasons we are a blessed nation and hopefully many Americans continue to make good moral good choices rooted in religion. I am truly grateful every day that I was blessed to be born in this country even with all of its flaws.
I was thinking something similar while we were at Disney World last week. All those thousands of people spending a whole day (or more) just doing things that were fun and entertaining. Eating whatever we wanted. Buying things like balloons and t-shirts and other souvenirs. So much abundance and freedom, and I couldn't help thinking that someone (many someones) somewhere (many somewheres) was suffering from hunger, neglect, abuse, war, oppression...you name it! We are so blessed, and so often we take it for granted. I agree, like others, that we can't change the past but we can try to help others who are less fortunate and we can try to be kind, good, caring people. We can give back.
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