Fourth of July
Written by Luz Leigh, 05 July 2007
Another July
4th, Independence Day for the USA,
has come and gone. A cousin of mine sent an
email saying they had celebrated with the
traditional family dinner. Now remember dinner
in Texas is the noon meal; the evening meal is
called supper. We had traditional Fourth of
July food, except we had no watermelon. Just
not the same, so I will make a trip to the
store later, buy me a luscious, juicy melon
and indulge.
As I sat
last night watching the fireworks display
provided by the local volunteer fire
department, I was enjoying uninterrupted
patriotic music compliments of our local radio
station. The day had been long, the weather
was a little muggy, so I had the car air
conditioner running and the radio on.
Although the
fireworks were beautiful as they lit up the
Texas sky, I felt a little teary-eyed. First,
because I know that only because there have
been men and women in the military who have
been, and still are, sacrificing their lives
for us to enjoy these freedoms. I can sit in
my car unafraid; listen to the music of my
choice; return to my home and know I can be
safe as I close my eyes to much needed sleep.
There were
genuine tears of heartache as I thought of a
young soldier who is serving in Iraq to whom I
write each week. He might have enjoyed the
brilliant colors that lit up the sky, but the
loud noises made by the exploding “rockets,
etc.” might have been a reminder of the noises
he lives with 24/7. Not fireworks to entertain
children and adults, but blasts from rockets
or small arms; noises that could signal harm
or death to him or his comrades. It is my
prayer that by this time next year he will be
safely back home with his family.
The music
included so many of my favorites, but not
limited to “The Star Spangled Banner”, sung by
several different artists; “God Bless the
USA”, which speaks of the lakes of Minnesota
and the plains of Texas and the men who died
for our freedom; “America, the Beautiful”, the
song my little girl sang at her kindergarten
graduation and later at a worship service in
our church; “The Ragged Old Flag” which always
touches me, and the song about the caissons
rolling along. At least twice we heard young
children reciting the pledge of allegiance to
the American flag, with the words, under
God included.
The local
firefighters always have a big celebration on
the Fourth, which includes a BBQ dinner and a
live auction to raise much needed
funds. Before the introductions of special
guests, recognition of loyal supporters and
the beginning of the auction, the assistant
fire chief always calls on a lady who was one
of his high school teachers and a strong
Christian to lead the crowd in a prayer. This
lady, who is an ardent believer in our great
nation, always gives thanks for what the Lord
has provided for us. It is not a long prayer,
but a sincere one.
Special
recognition went to a longtime supporter of
the department; a lady who proudly claims to
be nearly ninety-seven years young. My son
smiled as he told that most of his life has
been lived next door to this grand lady. Each
year she spends countless hours crocheting
afghans, bedspreads, pillow covers, and
dresses for dolls which she donates to the
fire department to be auctioned. Including
some items from her home, she gave a total of
twenty-three items this year. When I spoke
with her to thank her for her donations, (and
for keeping an eye on my grown child), she
related that she has already started
crocheting “something for next year.”
For years my
neighbor has cooked her famous Sock-It-To-Me
cake for the auction. As in the past, people
really get into the spirit of the bidding for
this special item. The young businessman, who
for the past several years has purchased her
cake, met opposition this year. But, try as
they might, the others could not outbid this
supporter. He paid $300.00 for Mrs. Dot’s
cake.
I hope the
traditional Fourth of July celebration will
never die out. I want my grandchildren to know
and experience the warm feeling of being among
friends; having friendly bidding wars at the
auction; hugs from folks you haven’t seen in a
while, as well as hugs from someone you see
everyday.
So today as
I put away the auction items I brought home
with me, it is with pleasant memories of
yesterday and all the “fourths” of the
past. My list of suggestions for improvements
is here on my desk, because no matter how
great something is, there is always room for
improvement.
I am so
thankful to be blessed by the Lord to live
where I do and have the family and friends
that make my life better. But, we need to
remember Who made this nation what it is. The
Lord has blessed us in so many ways and our
country seems to be drifting, no running, away
from Him and His teachings. Let us each vow to
place Him first in our everyday lives, not
just on Sunday morning.
