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 !”
8 comments:
Yes, I know what you mean and the USA changed for ever. Now it seems many are forgetting the price of freedom and are embracing other ideas and creeds without any patriotism for the USA as it stands for, freedom in every sense of the word.
Now many want to impose on Americans not to do so many things we took for granted when we were kids and young, not to many years ago, because we are going to hurt the feeling...OF WHO, EXCUSE ME??
I love and enjoyed your post and I agree totally with what you posted. I am a NYorker... my home town, Astoria-Queens.
Happy 4th. of July
FABBY
Wonderful to read this wise post. I'm not from the USA, but I can still appreciate the notions in this post. I remember days of flying the length of NZ, alone as a young child, to spend holidays with my grandparents. Or teenage plans to get around the weight limits on checked luggage by putting all of my (heavy) toiletries in my cabin bag for international flights. But mostly, I remember being able to say a heartfelt goodbye to relatives just prior to boarding the flight. No hanging about an airport for two hours alone, with a lump in one's throat. Though those freedoms are missed, the ability to travel *at all* is one that I truly appreciate. Whereas my grandparents sailed from the UK to NZ over six weeks, I can be here or there in around a day. Unbelievable really.
An important reminder, Kathysue. I lived in New York nearly all of my life and was there on 9/11. I saw what happened in real time and with real terror. My children worked in lower Manhattan and Brooklyn and I could not get in touch with them. My feelings of safety and freedom have forever changed since that day. Still, I feel fortunate to live in this country.
What a thoughtful post. You are so right- 9/11 changed us forever. Let's hang on to those simple things we do like barbecuing and fireworks and once again rejoice in the freedom our forefathers helped create for us. Have a great 4th!
Kathy,
We had a similar experience after 9/11 while visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Helicopters hovering above, armed guards everywhere while it was shocking at first, it made me very sad. But, looking up at Lady Liberty renewed my faith in all things good about my country. Keep blogging!
I feel the same way! Maybe it comes with age. Maybe it comes with growing up in a more innocent time. I regret that they kiddos of today will not experience the freedom we grew up with. I was born in the 1950s and what an innocent time! I miss it. Sheila
A fitting post as we are also reminded that the battle of the Somme took place a hundred years ago on July lst 1916 where hundreds of men, many 18, 19 & 20 year olds gave their lives for freedom. I honestly believe that young people around the world need to be educated daily about the many sacrifices our world wide armed forces have made so that we can enjoy the precious freedom so many take for granted. I was born in the u.k. & now in live in the wonderful country of Canada & love the freedom to visit our lovely American neighbours.
Barb
Great post Kathysue. I second all of your emotions and insights into how things have changed since 9/11.
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