Sometimes I think we forget to celebrate our Freedom on the Fourth of July. You know we all get excited about family gatherings, fireworks and wonderful food and drink. I wonder how many of us ponder the idea of Freedom and how much has been sacrificed over the years so that we may enjoy our lifestyle in the United States.
I remember the first time I really felt the twinge of how important our Freedom is and how we often take it for granted.
We decided to visit the East coast right after 9/11. I know many were frightened to fly at that time, but Hubby and I were not. We all knew the price of freedom on that dreadful day but it really hit home when we got off of the plane late one night in Baltimore, the airport was fairly empty, but what I was about to see when we got off of our flight will forever remain in my memory.
As we de-boarded there were armed guards in full gear lining the halls of the terminal. I got big tears in my eyes because at that very moment I knew the meaning of freedom. A bit of ours had been taken away. No longer were we free to come and go. No longer were our concerns just about what food or movie we would see on the plane. We as citizens of this wonderful country were about to be scrutinized, guarded, our every move watched very closely. The carefree excitement of going to a new and exciting place had been taken from us. I had always been able to fly to whatever destination I wanted to fly too and there were never armed guards watching me but now there were. A piece of our freedom that I had never thought of as a freedom before had forever been changed.
I can think of one freedom I am doing right now!! Blogging and communicating to all of you, my wonderful readers. Oh how sad it would be if this freedom could be taken from me. You see how easy it is to take freedom for granted? We go about our daily business without much thought to activities that we just automatically partake in. After that day in the airport I don't think I will ever take my life here in the United States for granted ever again.
Now that I am older and wiser I look at life from a different perspective and I realize Life and its Freedoms in our beautiful country are precious and should be valued and honored.
On this 4th of July try to take a moment to think of the daily freedoms we take for granted and give thanks to God and those that are guarding our freedom here and abroad.
Happy 4th of July!! Let Freedom Ring!!
“ Enjoy the Process” Of:
“Enjoying our Freedom !”
Kathysue
22 comments:
Well said, Kathy Sue! I will never forget 9/11. I was actually in California when it happened. We have visited Ground Zero and it always makes me emotional when I go there...Christine
I hope it has been a wonderful 4th for you and I think we should all appreciate the freedom we have because we never know when we will lose it! xx Julienne
So very true Kathysue. For us personally, the weeks after 9/11 meant 14 funerals. May we never again live through such a time and may we never forget. Happy 4th!
xoxo Pattie
Beautiful post Kathysue, very moving!
Great post dear friend. I think we all need to stop and really remember those that have and are putting their life on the line for our freedoms. I keep them in prayer daily. Hope you have a Blessed 4th. Hugs, Marty
Wonderful post and a message that none of us should forget! Thank you so much for your sweet comments on my blog and I wish you and your family a very Happy 4th of July!
Kat :)
How beautiful! I love this sentiment! Freedom is not free and I am grateful everyday to those who pay for mine so that I may LIVE my life!
Happy 4th...sweet girl! Enjoy the day!
Cathy
I pray that we continue to enjoy Freedom in America and that we, as conscientious voters, keep the ideas and the message of the wise men who signed our Independence.
You said it perfectly Kathysue.
Freedom is not inherited, sacrifices are made for us to have it.
you know, we are used to seeing armies carrying guns in other country's airports, but when you see it in your own country's airport, where we didn't before, it brings it home, doesn't it? Young men protecting us and sacrificing their own lives/family time to give us something we always took for granted? happy independence day friend!
K
I'm happy you enjoy nailhead trim as much as I do haha =)
Happy Independence Day to you!!
As the mother of a Marine and MIL to an Air Force pilot, I understand in a special way what our freedom costs. My son was married on Feb 8 and deployed on the 11 to march on Bagadad in that first assault. I've never know such fear in my life or such faith. He spent 10 months over there, and 6 more years stateside. My son in law is career. They go where others will not, and there is a strenght and conviction within them that is not found in the average person. I will never underestimate what our military do to keep us free and safe, and I appreciate my ability to do as I please in a different way than I did 10 years ago. I hope we never have to live through such times again.
Thanks for a memorable post, Kathysue.
Sally, thank you for the sacrifices your family has made for all of us living freely in the United States.Tell the boys in your family, thank you from Kathysue
A beautiful post and I too can remember exactly where I was on 9/11/2001 and have and never will take our freedom for granted.
Have a wonderful 4th of July!!!
We were in Washington D.C. AND Boston just two weeks after 9/11 and saw the same things in the airports. A beautiful site was when we were on the train going from Washington D.C. to Boston, a whole group of firefighters got on the train to ride to NY to help. The whole train applauded. When the train pulled in to NY, we could still see the smoke in the skyline, two weeks later! This was a beautiful post, Kathysue -
Amen to this my Dear friend...Loved this post today Kathysue...With 2 grandson in the army I praise what they do every day just to allow me the righs and freedom I do have...Many Blessings on this 4th to you and your family...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
Great post Kathy! Thank you so much! Hope your having a great holiday!
Kathysue, what a wonderful post. Yes, we do take a lot for granted and I do hate what has happened to our air travel. It use to be so easy and now you have to get to the airport way ahead of the trip time and remove all kinds of clothing and get everything screened. At least I know it is being done for our protection.
I hope your 4th has been good. Hugs to you, too.
Kim
Here here... let freedom ring! We are so blessed to live in this great country for which we should be eternally grateful. Thank you for this heartfelt post this 4th of July :)
God Bless America!
xo
Dear Kathysue,
As a child my father would say "Freedom isn't free" often. The preciousness of it instilled to the point I can be a bit over the top with flag protocol and honoring veterans.
Very heartfelt, KathySue. You speak such truth in your posts. Very touching. Happy Fourth!
Kathysue, beautiful and touching post. Thank you.
Kristin
Such a beautiful post, everyone needs to read this to be reminded of what freedom really is. Thank you!
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