Proud to be an American

Yesterday was the 4th of July. (Happy belated Independence Day!) My friend Erica and I met up with our co-worker Rick, his girlfriend Daniella and her sister Emilia (oh and Cha Cha and Cachito, they're dogs) at the Miller Outdoor Theater to catch the fireworks. Parking was insane, but once we got settled on the hilltop with our cooler of water, beer, carrots, ranch dip, turkey slices, cheese and a whole loaf of bread, which Rick repeatedly made fun of us for, we no longer cared that we just lugged all that crap a million miles and up a hill. Yes, a million miles. I kept count.

The weather was pleasant. It wasn't so hot that you wanted to shave your head and lie naked in a tub of ice, so that's always good. And once the sun set it was even better. The Houston Orchestra played patriotic music, and then it was time for fireworks. As I stood there watching those beautiful bursts of color and light shoot up into the sky I became overwhelmed with appreciation and pride and hope. I was so grateful to be an American, to live in such an incredible country where freedom is not a privilege but a right. I was also proud to be an American. I looked around me and saw Mexican-Americans, Asian-Americans, African-Americans, Indian-Americans all together gazing up into the sky and losing themselves in the power of those fireworks. You see, those fireworks were much more than bold colors and bright lights. They represented humanity, peace, and hope. It felt almost magical looking up into the night and feeling like anything is possible...And it is. Life is full of so many amazing moments. Sometimes we forget that and take for granted the little miracles that happen every day. July 4th reminds us how far we've come as a nation and how wonderful life in America is.


I want to say thank you to every member of our nation's armed forces--past, present and future. So many have fought and died so that we could enjoy our freedom and our liberties. So that we could have a voice and be heard. Thank you. Thank you for you selfless sacrifice. For those who have died, may you live for eternity in a special place in Heaven, and for those who are still fighting, may God bring you home safely.

God bless America!