Together on July Fourth
Happy Independence Day, everyone. I hope your day and evening to come are all that you wish, and more. I hope that if you are with family and friends you appreciate their loving companionship, and that if you are solitary on this holiday you feel others in your heart. In short - I wish you joy.
Yet if, perhaps, that is not the path you're on today I hope you know you're not alone. If you're feeling tired and weak, unable to find the celebration within you, it will be all right. The date is July fourth, two thousand and nine because it comes between the third and the fifth of the month. The day doesn't offer pressure to make it more than it is. Tomorrow will quite likely be better than today, or it may take a bit longer to feel more like yourself. Whatever the case, whatever you feel ... your own day will come, and you'll smile again.
So party on, or rest your mind. Today represents much in which we find pride, and much to which we still aspire. The fight to claim our right to uniqueness and freedom goes on. Remember that those that battle often do so in different ways - some with a blaze of glory, some with quiet sacrifice. All with a vision of what America can be if only we try hard enough.
Together.
Beautiful.
July 4, 2009 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey you. I'm wondering how fireworks will look over the mid Atlantic coastline in a couple of hours. I hope they shoot high enough to reflect in a calm enough sea.
I watched 1776 this afternoon. Really bad singing -- not a good movie (or play, I'm told) but I was overwhelmed as always at the thought of how much they were willing to sacrifice 233 years ago, signing a paper that meant death to them and their families if they lost their cause. Were the values more important then, or did they just have less to lose? High-minded words are always just high-minded words, but they still ring, don't they?
I am not one who canonizes the founding fathers -- in fact, I think we pay too much credence to what they thought or meant 233 years ago. The universe was different then, and extrapolating those words to our time is quite the limiting exercise. Our time is now, and those words that affect our lives are words that ought to be spoken now. But they aren't. We cling to theirs, unwilling to make our own pronouncement, unwilling to find those values to which we are willing to pledge our property, our lives and our sacred honor. Instead we mock, and delight in the failures of our opponents and pat ourselves on the back when our guy or gal wins, cheering the uniform as much as the idea behind it. Me included.
So as I'm looking to a darkening Colorado sky, with the strong chance of unseasonal rain shutting down our display tonight, I'm going to pledge to myself these truths that ought to be self evident, that all men and women are created equal, and endowed by their creator with certainly unalienable rights. What those are, I guess, we all should decide for ourselves.
And as I do, I'm going to remain grateful for many many things, not the least of them is a friend 1700 miles away, with a glass of pale wine in her hand, smiling at the man-made stars as they light up the ocean.
Happy Fourth, Melissa.
July 4, 2009 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Truth be told, Matt, I'll likely watch the fireworks as presented by the Boston Pops tonight. But I will certainly be holding a glass of pale wine and smiling - because of people like you in my life that make such a difference.
May we all find our truths to be self evident, and our universal rights (as we see them) to be unalienable. And if all else fails, may we find comfort in one another as we continue to strive for our own personal best.
I hope you have an unseasonable thunderstorm tonight ... let nature put on the display.
July 4, 2009 7:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is really a fine, flowing bit of prose MSA.
Happy 4th
July 4, 2009 8:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's soooo NOISY!
=D
July 4, 2009 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good 4th to you, Missy....
July 4, 2009 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
And to you ...
July 4, 2009 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Happy Fourth, dear if distant friends.
You are so right, Missy. A day and night that might have been blue, so far from family, has turned beautifully, precisely for the reasons you suggest: a) it is just one day, after all; b) tomorrow is another day (I know who said that; nevermind); and, c) when one makes the effort to make the best of it by inviting others (even those one does not think of as real friends) the experience of sharing a meal, some history and common aspirations is more than enough. A bright moon, a fresh breeze, fireflies and local, amateur fireworks also lending unexpected festivity.
Wish all of you were here.
July 4, 2009 10:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wish we were together, as well. But this will have to do.
Thank you for sharing your evening and your moonlight, your laughter and even your shadows. For giving of yourself and accepting the gift of others - simply for being the lovely person that you are. Whisper to the fireflies for me.
July 4, 2009 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
come say hai
http://widget.mibbit.com/?settings=7a731d035e7e4a1205ccf106b1333be1&channel=%23tpm-aholics
July 4, 2009 10:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've thought about this often, so will take the opportunity now to express it.
I really don't care for chat, even as I thank you for the invitation. I've tried it a few times and just don't feel like it's for me. Obviously, many others feel differently - and I'm truly glad that the community has flowered for those that appreciate the extention. It shows in the personal comfort and friendship between various members.
I'll stick around the Cafe, and accept that the voices are limited around this time of night - especially on Friday's. And I'll be perfectly content with that. Everybody else? Have fun!
July 4, 2009 11:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can multitask
I think I understand
I had to remove myself from it for awhile. Not because I don't love everyone there, other reasons, I do so love everyone there
and I think, I see why some are uncomfortable.
it's all good.
July 4, 2009 11:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not removing myself, nor am I uncomfortable there. I've always felt quite welcome, actually. I thank all who have said hello.
Just not my cup of tea, 'tis all. Nice to know you're a multi-tasking Bwak - not a bit surprised. I hope that means that if I happen to turn on a light some night that you'll adorn the rafters. ;)
July 4, 2009 11:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
always... best place I ever slept.
tho, us cheekans are generally early to bed, early to rise. folks wants their breakfast.
I love the love in this post. Some of us, well, my Dad died July third, and now my sis-in-laws dad is dying. They say by tomorrow. I haz to stay close to home.
Knowing I had friends here makes it all so much more bearable.
July 4, 2009 11:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kind thoughts flowing your way, bwak.
July 4, 2009 11:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
(megahugs)
July 4, 2009 11:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Definitely!
July 5, 2009 12:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ain't nuthin more precious then a megahug! I wish you megalots of megahugs, Bwak and Barefooted! Happy 4th!
July 5, 2009 2:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hearts entertwined are souls unbroken.
Always here, just a pulse away. Reach if you need to touch ... accept a hand when you need to fall.
You're loved, Bwakfat.
July 5, 2009 12:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Fourth of July Story:
We moved into our present house on July 2, 1987. The moving van came after we'd slept on the floor the first night - as I recall. We were so busy opening boxes and unpacking, that when we began to hear what sounded like gunshots one night that week, we looked out the window, only to see fireworks! Right from the window! Turned out the town fireworks were set off at a park not far away.
We were so busy unpacking, we'd lost track of dates and everything else! The fireworks here just ended a while ago.
Lovely, restful blog, Melissa. :-)
July 4, 2009 11:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nice post. It resonates with me on many levels. Thanks for writing it.
July 5, 2009 12:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
It has been a good day for me. This past week I made contact with a long lost friend through one of those Internet classmates search engines. I didn’t subscribe to the service, but posted to her account leaving my contact information. She was not a subscriber either, but had received notices informing her that two friends had left messages, and for only $15 she could read those messages. She succumbed to curiosity, and subscribed, learning in due course that myself and another friend were seeking communion. Oddly enough she had just been thinking of the two of us, so it appears that psychic connections can be facilitated through the Internet.
She in turn connected me to another mutual friend who as it turns out lives in a neighboring town here in the desert Southwest, and we have just spent the last eight hours scaring the proprietors of a local Chinese restaurant into thinking we would never leave, then going for a beer, and eventually returning to my front stoop where we talked on as the sun set on the mountains in front of us and neighborhood fireworks explode with the July 4th moon as backdrop. The day was blanketed with the nonstop conversation of old and close friends who had lost track of each other some 20 odd years ago and had all the requisite catching up to do: The condensed version of 20 years of life on Earth times two; what we’ve done and the decisions that brought us to this moment in time on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert on our Independence Day. It is intriguing for me to see that the affection one had for a person one knew in the seemingly distant past, was not without foundation, and that there is still, after so much time, a fundamental attraction betwixt us. There is nothing like conversation with an old friend. Thank you Maureen for a lovely afternoon and evening, and thank the rest of you Melissa, and the rest of my TPM friends for your companionship this evening and hopefully many still to come. Happy July 4, 2009.
July 5, 2009 12:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
She's a lucky friend to have felt your warmth personally - as are we to have shared it with you in this odd realm. Finding a connection thought lost is a blessing, as you have experienced tonight, Miguel.
Your words struck me ... "it appears that psychic connections can be facilitated through the Internet." Indeed they can. In fact, I believe that lifelong bonds can be created, and treasured, through it as well. It's a different world, as they say.
Thank you for giving us the chance to understand through your wonderful experience that life happens when we least expect it. A chance to realize that every once in a while magic happens.
July 5, 2009 1:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I forgot. Happy Fourth of July Missy.
July 5, 2009 1:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Happy Fourth of July, two thousand and nine to you, my dear friend.
July 5, 2009 2:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
My wishes for a happy 4th are coming late. We had a wonderful day, although quite different than the one originally planned. It pays to be flexible.
Our house is situated in a new, small neighborhood that sits on a rise overlooking the city. From the vantage point of the cul de sac at the end our road (just a stone's throw away) we could see about 10 different professional fireworks displays, plus all the neighbors brought out their stashes and we all set them off together.
Earlier in the evening they had a kids parade, with about 40 little kids all dressed in red white and blue, riding their decorated bikes, scooters, trikes, moms pulling the littlest in wagons...it was the cutest thing. My 4 1/2 year old granddaughter was the leader of the pack on her little scooter, getting ahead of even the older kids...We held our breath, but she didn't crash going down the hill. She was so proud of herself.
The 14 month old was a trooper and stayed awake WAY past her bedtime. She crashed in my arms just as the fireworks ended. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.
Thanks for having the lights on Missy...it was great to end the day here. Happy 4th!
July 5, 2009 2:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
You've already had the happiest of days, still, so I won't wish you one. But I will sincerely thank you for adding your pleasure to the mix - making the entire evening that much more worthwhile for all of us.
Your grandkids are too great! And your neighborhood is a chapter straight out of "How To Do It Right".
July 5, 2009 3:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
We need a lot more good like this. That good is our salvation from the shadow cast upon us by the dark side. With tomorrow comes hope.
July 5, 2009 6:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Had a wonderful 4th and wish I had caught this yesterday. I would have liked to take some time in my too busy and hectic day to refect on your words. Bwak is right - firework display was beautiful but too noisy. Peace after the last boom was welcome. Time now for some reflection on what the day really means - not picnics, BBQs, family gatherings but on the true celebration of our blessings for being in a country where we have freedoms and hope for better things to come.
July 5, 2009 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink