Our holiday weekend started off by a trip to Copper Basin, Idaho, for a family reunion. We spent the day visiting with family. I took a ride on the four-wheeler with my dad out through the Basin. It is so beautiful there with a wide basin and majestic mountains surrounding it. I could see the tips of the mountains in the far distance behind many mountain ranges. The mountains still had a hint of green on them from the good moisture we had through the spring and now into the summer. The recent rain and hail storm last night and the day before left puddles in the rutted road. I loved just soaking in the beauty in the warm summer air.
I stopped the four-wheeler and shut it off to hear the quite around me. My dad and I both looked at the mountains as we discussed the mountain range and what valley was on the other side. We could see the tips of the mountains in my valley, The Lost River Range. How blessed I felt to live in a country so beautiful.
Beautiful Copper Basin
A deer wandering thru camp.
The next day was spent in church. I loved that we sang patriotic songs. It brought tears to my eyes as I listened to those around me singing. I was grateful I had the freedom to be there. Later that night we enjoyed fireworks with some friends on the Mackay Reservoir. The fireworks were so beautiful as they lit up the dark sky and reflected on the water. I loved the boom from the fireworks, the sound echoed around the mountains around us. I felt so blessed.
I have thought today what is the 4th of July or Independence Day. For many people it is spending time with friends and family, camping, fishing, sitting in a park, parades, sports and many other activities. What is the 4th of July for me? Is it another Holiday on the calendar that we get off from work and can do what we want. Hmmm, do what we want. Now there is a thought. This thought lead my next thought to freedom, able to do what we want. Where would I be and what would I be doing right now if I was not free to do what I want? I started to think should I be
celebrating the 4th of July or Independence Day?
I decided to look up Independence in the Mariam Webster Dictionary. This is what the definition said. Independence is “freedom from outside control or support : the state of being independent.” Isn’t this what the 4th of July or Independence Day is all about?
I am so grateful to live in a country that is free. I am grateful for those who fought for our freedoms and those who still fight for our freedoms. I hope while we are out spending time with our families we take the time to think about those that are away from their families so that we can be with ours. I hope that we will think of those that have died defending our freedoms. That we will remember those that were inspired to write our Declaration of Independence and Constitution to help defend our freedoms. I hear it said everywhere “Freedom isn’t Free!” There wouldn’t be a 4th of July holiday without them. There wouldn’t be Independence Day without them.
So remember the next you are free to visit your family or choose what you would like to do, eat what you would like to eat, worship how you would like to worship, and work where you would like to work, remember someone sacrificed their lives so that you could have freedom in yours. I think from now on I will remember the 4th of July as Independence Day. A day that someone fought for me and my freedom.
Fireworks on the Mackay, Idaho Reservoir.
Independence Day Celebration
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