July 4th Holiday or Holy Day?
Dictionary.com had this to say about the word “Independence”
Independence ; In`de*pend”ence\, n. [Cf. F. ind[’e]pendance.]
1. The state or quality of being independent; freedom from dependence; exemption from reliance on, or control by, others; self-subsistence or maintenance; direction of one’s own affairs without interference.
2. Sufficient means for a comfortable livelihood.
Much has been said about Independence Day by some pretty wonderful people and I hardly think I could add to their words but here goes.
 For most of American it seems “Independence Day” is about time off from work and fireworks rather than a reflections of gratitude that they can work and choose what type of work they want to do. It’s more about drinking than thinking, more about eating than honoring, more about freedom from responsibility than freedom to seek responsibility.Â
For a seemingly ever shrinking minority though it is about something more… something that reaches back into the founding of our nation… and the defending of it …and the cost of keeping it. Many will gather on this holiday and do something more. Amidst the swimming and parades and fireworks they will stop, and they will take a moment to tell stories, show pictures, thank veterans. Some with grandkids on their laps will quietly sing the national anthems, recite the pledge, and talk about what freedom means to them. For some Independece Day will be a sacred day, a holy day and a holiday.  God has blessed America… may he continue to do so.
Have a most wonderul and Happy “Independence Day” and make it a day of remembering that’s worth remembering.
Kirk out
 The children’s blog sites are coming along.  I invite you visit one or each of their for blogs at the following URL’s.
1 Thing i Love http://1thingilove.wordpress.com/ - this is their favorite blog where they talk about 1 thing they love
Human Becomings - http://humanbecomings.wordpress.com/ - celebrating the power of growth and learning
Quotes My Kids Like - http://quotesmykidslike.wordpress.com/ find a quote you like and tell why you like it
Dates With Dad - http://dateswithdad.wordpress.com/ promoting the power of one on one time with parents and kids.
If you do have a chance to visit these sites… I ask that you would leave a comment for them… they would love that.
Thank you and …
Kirk Out
July 7th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Hi, Kirk.
I want to thank you for your Independence Day post. Every July 4, I do think about those who fought for our independence, for those who fought and continue to fight to maintain democracy in the world and for those who worked and continue to work for peace.
I also think about where our country has fallen short. I think about the boys who join gangs because they can’t imagine a future where they live past the age of 30. I think about gay and lesbian families who suffer because our government does not recognize them as families (google Lisa Pond and Janice Langbehn). I think about people who are ill and need to choose between food and medication and I think about the homeless.
I then ask myself to do more. To work for the ideals of the founders of our country and ideals that have been built on their foundation, aspiring to treat all, as beign created equal regardless of gender, color, sexual orientation, age, class, education, religion, mental or physical ability. To me, Independence Day is a day to celebrate the ideals of our country, to thank those who have worked to achieve and maintain those ideals and to challenge myself to action to further those ideals for the future of our great country.
Thank you for what you have done for our country and what you continue to do to inspire me.
Regards,
Jan
October 15th, 2009 at 5:14 am
Somehow, that’s true for other countries as well. Independence Day is being looked forward to because of the fireworks, parades, and a non-working holiday.