Sunday, July 4, 2010

Thoughts on Independence Day


It's a shame that we celebrate our independence just once a year, and that the very holiday meant to offer a time of thanks for the freedoms we enjoy has become commercialized. Maybe I am crass- I just can't help it.

The 4th of July has always been a bit like Thanksgiving to me. Many of the things I am thankful for are afforded because we live in a free state where we can pursue what makes us happy- the place we live, the careers we have chosen, the churches we attend. Sure there may be things we don't agree with, and whether we want to think people are all treated equally, they aren't. Still, all these things, and the right to disagree, were made possible by a small group of forward thinkers who set out to do things just a bit differently.

Can you imagine trying to get 13 of the families in your community to agree to take the risk of a lifetime and join you on what seems like a wild goose chase. That's what our founders did, except it was 13 colonies- that's quite a few opinions. Think how things might be different had they failed.

In between the time at the beach, picnics and cookouts, games of horseshoes, lemonade and home-made ice cream, think about what you are doing and how fortunate you are to live where you do.

Happy Independence Day from your friends at Cupboards.

6 comments:

  1. This was a great post. I enjoyed it, especially the 'Don't Tread on Me' image.

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  2. Thanks Brian- Have you seen the HBO miniseries on John Adams? They used that very image extensively. As a history buff, that series was gold!

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  3. Nick,

    I saw the first 3 episodes of the John Adams series. It was really good, but then I got distracted by life and missed the rest of it. I will probably buy it one day.

    Brian

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  4. Nice post Nick. I do have to say the 4th is one of my favorite holidays tied with Thanksgiving. While i'll agree that the 4th has become slightly over commercialized it is also a product of our population size. I believe it still represents the intension of the holiday to celebrate the birth of our great country. Which is refreshing after seeing what has happened to Christmas and Easter. As with most things now a days parents need to continue to tell the stories and show their children how and why we are so lucky. Again great post and I hope you have a great holiday, and I want some of that ice-cream!

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  5. Nick, great post. Thank you for taking the time to write it and share with all of us. I agree with Jeremy about all of our holidays becoming over commercialized. I hope that you had a had a wonderful time in Destin and a safe trip home.

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  6. Jeremy and Brenda- Thanks for the kind words- Hope you had happy 4ths!

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