I can only be free if you are free.

Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide. ~Napoleon Bonaparte

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. ~Abraham Lincoln

It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you. ~Author unknown, sometimes attributed to M. Grundler


No one is free when others are oppressed. ~Author Unknown

Give me Liberty or give me Death!~ Patrick Henry , said during a speech during a Virgina Convention just shy of a year before July 4th,

July 4th is one of my favorite Holidays we Americans celebrate. I could say its because of the pretty fireworks ( My favorite ones are the ones that sparkle as they cascade down, simulating a Marilyn Monroe gown). I could say its because I like the "Oh Say Can You See" lil jingle. I could also say like it so much because we tend to surround ourselves with family and friends. Or I could also say I love the 4th because I was born the day after, so sometimes I get lucky and get a cupcake at midnight to chime in my bday. But being a true cancer sign (and rising sign for that matter), I am driven by my inner spirit for this innate passion for our freedoms and am an avid patriot, and that is really why I like this holiday.

On July 4th, 1776 the Continental Congress (AKA "our awesome Forefathers") decided to officially claim their independence from Great Britain by en stating "The Declaration of Independence." They had actually passed the vote itself on July 2, however, they made some quick final revisions on that balmy summer day before they all signed it one by one.

I can only imagine what it would be like to have been in that room. The Revolution had been long, yet the pride and blind faith of those men in the room and the residents in those 13 colonies, never stopped their dream to be free.

Now please do not misunderstand, we still had a VERY long way to go before abolishing slavery, giving women their full right to vote, and many other facets of true freedom and equality. But it was a beginning. A beginning that was guided with an unstoppable belief. Belief that those soldiers that lost their lives in the Revolutionary War were not lost in vein. Belief that freedom creates an opportunity to grow and become what we are today.

I am thankful for those gentlemen in that room on that day in 1776. I am thankful for their courage. I am thankful they had a vision. A viiosn that involved being freedom to rule ourselves.

The world around us is not so lucky. Freedoms do not exist for everyone outside these walls. Try to for one moment think about not having a simple freedom you have everyday. A basic human right. Now imagine you could not do that.

Or imagine being forced into sex trafficking at age 11. Imagine being born during the Hitler's reign and being Jewish. There are many examples, some more painful than others. Freedom is precious.

I am thankful for every single person that serves our country in the military. Whether or not I agree with what we are choosing to fight for, those individuals are willing to make a sacrifice not only for themselves, but for you, and me. They sacrifice time away from family, friends, the comfort of familiar foods, housing, and even their lives.

I salute you all. I salute Abraham Lincoln for realizing that abolishing slavery was worth the lives lost in the civil war. I am thankful for Thomas Jefferson who so poetically created a wonderful document that still stands today. I am thankful for Francis Scott Key for inspiring to write an amazing song with so much passion, while staring at flag still waving in battle. I am thankful for Martin Luther King Jr. , a true hero, who led others to freedom, without implenting violence.
If those guys could see us now...........

Happy 4th of July! I hope you have a safe and happy Holiday.

One of my favorite freedom songs:

An African Hymn done in chant. I think it might have been one of the first acapella songs for a choir I ever sang:

Oh Freedom,

Oh Freedom,

Oh Freedom

Freedom is coming ;

oh yes I know

(REPEAT twice)

* you tube it, its a catchy lil jingle:)