Running in, as the candles were lit and feverishly flickering their waxed bodies down into the icing, Evans looked about anxiously mouthing the words, “Who’s birthday.” Not having been as quiet as he thought, he had to look down, almost to his knees, to hear the voice that squeaked in surprise (as if he CLEARLY should have known), “uhhh MER i CAUSE!” said the tiny Addison. She had a look of utter disbelief that he even had to ask.

We now have our favorite 4th of July story. Let the little whippersnappers set us straight. July 4th isn’t just about fireworks, friends and Hebrew National franks. We celebrate our beloved tri-striped flag for all it represents.

Do they know, I wondered, what, “When in the Course of Human Events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them to another and to assume among the Powers of the earth a separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God entitles them” means?

For now, they know we celebrate the birthday of our nation. One Nation under God. For now, they know it’s important enough to have a big celebration. Year after year, hopefully, all those knee-high-to-a grasshopper children will know the names, stories and history of our founding fathers.

Hopefully, they will know why those men (and, the women and families with them) felt so inclined to pledge their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. The did. They did all that. The lost much so we could have the opportunity to have much. They had a vision for future generations. These men and their families were willing to make decisions which cost them deeply.

Upon their sacrifice of much we’ve stood and watched the history of the United States of America play out on a foundation laid through great courage and tremendous grit. We will always have much to improve upon and much to learn from–both our history’s successes and horrific and tragic mistakes. I hope we will have the same type of grit they possessed.

God.

Freedom.

Family.

A letter to a King. A Declaration of Independence…

A Constitution (A Supreme Law of the Land)…

The Bill of Rights…

These heart held beliefs and these documents represent far more than yellowing, archaic text. They are the cornerstones upon which our Nation was built. Under them were people with great courage, great faith in God and one another and a great willingness to do what they believed was right for their families and communities, regardless of the cost.

This is what we celebrate. This is what we have to teach the little people growing up; those who will one day be the men and women making the decisions for our counties, cities, states and Nation.

God bless America!

Land that [we] love

Stand beside her

And Guide her