Happy Fourth of July!  Today has been a quiet day with more than my share of reflection.  The 4th of July always brings back memories for me.  Mama’s birthday was the fourth of July.  It  was always a time of reunion and a big celebration for our family.  Now, my parents are in Heaven and their descendants are scattered – mostly across the South except for my family which are in Montana, Iowa and Texas.  (My youngest keeps reminding me that I gave them roots and wings.)

“The Patriot” with Mel Gibson came out in the year 2000.  I did not/would not/could not see the movie until, finally, earlier this year I watched in tears.  Somehow I knew that the movie would have a profound effect upon me.  It did.  I had been searching my family’s history back through the generations and knew that several of my ancestors had fought and died in the American Revolution.

It’s one thing to read about this nation’s history and fight for freedom in a textbook’s black and white, but to see the bloody sacrifice orchestrated across a screen is another thing altogether.  The fight for our freedom continued through other wars down through the years.  That fight continues today.  I’m thankful for those who have given and continue to give so much that we may enjoy the freedom that we have.

My daughter and her husband and their family are in Kentucky visiting his parents, so I spent the afternoon and early evening with my friend and neighbor downstairs who was also alone for the day.  She prepared a delicious meal of garlic rosemary chicken and potato salad.  I’ve been battling a bulging disc in my neck with the pain that accompanies it, so she insisted that I come empty-handed and hungry.  There were strawberries and ice cream for dessert.  When I’m feeling better, I will reciprocate with a meal she will hopefully enjoy as much.