Independence Day 2010

Our 4th of July was pretty low-key this year. I wish I could tell you it was because we are super-righteous and since it fell on the sabbath, we spent it reading our scriptures and writing letters to missionaries. That would be a lie (and that would not be very righteous at all).

In reality, we were still recovering from our vacation...which probably had something to do with it. Also, I know at least I was feeling kind of melancholy...being an American not in America, knowing the whole country was over there partying without us. Every Facebook status update was a reminder of that. (Can you tell Facebook is my window to the world?) It reminded me of last year, actually. (The not feeling very festive part). To some extent because of the foreign country thing...but mostly because we were missing Cliff so much.

We started out the day at church. Since it was the first Sunday of the month, that meant it was Fast and Testimony Meeting and we had the opportunity to hear and bear testimony. This honestly can be hit or miss...but this Sunday's meeting was great. We have a family Fast Sunday tradition of eating homemade pizza for dinner, which I made with artichoke hearts, zucchini, onions, garlic and tomatoes (and cheese for everyone except me). It was pretty spectacular, if I do say so myself.

Even though we weren't going to any sort of party, or to watch the fireworks on the Air Force base, we did feel like we should mark the day somehow...so we watched The Patriot with Mel Gibson. It had been several years since I watched it, and it was even more awesome than I remembered. It was exactly what I needed today.

Of course I am grateful for those who serve in our military today...but I am especially grateful to those who had the courage to fight for our independence when doing so was as good as a death sentence (for themselves and their families). Some of them were members of my family. Samuel Huntington was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He is my (many-greats) uncle on my mom's side. Joseph Parks fought in the Revolutionary War and is my (several-greats) grandfather on my dad's side. Then his son, Rufus Parks, fought in the war of 1812. I can't help but wonder what life was like for them. What did they believe? What kind of sacrifices did they make? I wonder what they would think about America today? Would they feel like it was worth it? I hope so.

I think the 4th of July is like many other "picnic" holidays in our country. It's more about the family traditions that we participate in...and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that...I think it's wonderful. I love picnics and fireworks. But the fact that I had no desire to do either of those things this year was making me feel...well...kind of unpatriotic, really. Like..."What's wrong with me?!" I don't want to be all somber when everyone else is celebratory! But in thinking about it again, I'm OK with it. This is a family tradition, of sorts.

I will leave you with one of my favorite patriotic quotes:

"God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion.
The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is
wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts
they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions,
it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. ...
And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not
warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of
resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as
to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost
in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from
time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
It is its natural manure." ---Thomas Jefferson

God bless those patriots whose actions allow me to worship, to celebrate and to live FREE...and God bless America!

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