july fourth, 2002...we'll celebrate
the freedom of being an american,
of living in america, where we are
free to be whom we want to be
and live how we want to live. we'll
celebrate with food (we're grateful
that we have enough to eat, that
we don't live somewhere where
starvation is rampant). we'll
celebrate with parades (we
remember those that fought for
our freedom and remember those
that didn't make it back...they
were the ones paying the
ultimate price.) we'll celebrate
with friends and family (we're
grateful we have them, especially
after last september...so many
families aren't as fortunate. we'll
pause and remember heroes giving
their lives "just doing their jobs."
we'll reflect on how different this july
is from last year's. we'll remember
the twin towers, erased from our
skyline. the pentagon has largely
been repaired, but it won't ever be
the same. we'll remember those
that were aboard airplanes on that
awful day, not knowing they were
being flown to their deaths. we'll
remember the families & friends of
those that were lost that september).
we'll celebrate with music (& feel
chill bumps rise on our arms, have
tears in our eyes, stand up with
pride, & be glad that we're
americans, that the red, white &
blue signifies freedom for everyone,
no matter their race, color, faith,
disability or nationality). we'll
celebrate with fireworks (& oooh!!!
and aaahhh!!!! with every bursting
shell, enjoying the spectacular
display that is over far too soon,
then stand up, cheering, begging
for more). this july 4, 2002 has
been forever changed by an attack
on our nation...an attack that was
meant to make us cower in fear.
we will not be afraid. this attack
was meant to make us stop living
our lives. we will not give into their
demands. so they crashed
airplanes into buildings & damaged
or destroyed them, taking too many
innocent lives. they did not realize
that we are americans. we are a
nation united. we are a nation that
is strong. most of all, we're a
nation that's free: land of the free.
& we will not let terror stop us
from celebrating!!
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As we celebrate this Fourth of July, let us
remember those that will not be joining in
the festivities...& let us show the terrorists
we will continue to live our lives despite
their threats. ~~God bless America!!!!~~