* * * * * * * Happy 4th of July * * * * * *

I hope everyone enjoyed our lovely 4th of July!  What an honor we have in our country, I think the greatest country in the world, to freely celebrate our National Independence!

Our Nation is so very blessed!  We wake up every day, go to the job of our choice, make as much money as we want to work hard to acquire, provide for our families in the manner in which we would like.  We are schooled for free until we graduate from High School, able to attend a number of different trade schools, colleges or universities - that in and of itself is tremendous!  How many people came, and are still coming, some at great cost both monetarily and physically, just for that right alone?

Let's face it, almost every one of us has an immigrant background!  But at the end of the day, whether we have become Naturalized or born here, WE ARE AMERICANS!

It's up to all of us, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, all of us, to teach our little ones exactly what this means.  We have freedom and liberty today because of the brave men signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that they would loose every thing they owned, every one they loved, their very lives!

Every single man who sign this document, that some would crumble up and throw away, died horrible deaths, lost their love ones, wives, children - every thing they worked for FOR US! What greater sacrifice could another man give to his countrymen?  I think there is no greater gift.

We have so many rights, so many liberties, so many freedoms, I pray we are honorable enough, strong enough, wise enough to keep them!  Do you realize, or do your children or grandchildren know, that people in other countries are imprisoned or punished by death for worshiping Jesus Christ?  For believing there is only one living God?  Some for believing in any god, some for not believing in a god not of their choice?   Do you have to believe in our country? No - that too is your right!

Just as the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, as General George Washington and our country men and women believed in, fought for, died for, I for one am grateful each and every day for those who have fought, died and won our battles to keep us free!

For those who are still in our Military Services, "Thank you for your service to our country.  My family and I appreciate you, we thank you for standing on the front lines protecting our freedom, our very way of life."  To those families who have someone in the Branches - "Thank you for your service to our country.  While not on the front lines, you are the one supporting your service person, keeping the home fires burning, raising the children of soldiers.  You and your family make the sacrifice every day for all of us.  And please know, my family and I thank you and appreciate you and your sacrifices."

So - while we are shooting off fireworks, sparklers - gosh that reminds me of when I was three years old - honestly!!  Please remember after the BBQ's, time on the beaches, or in the stadiums watching big shows, our country is very fragile right now.  We all need to work hard to keep our flag raised, to make sure our freedoms and liberties are not stolen from us one bit at a time, be proud of our country, work hard to keep it free, work with one another.

Blessings,
Donna