i was thinking about what we were going to do for the fourth since both of us were planning on not working. then i realized that i am not a very patriotic person. i dont feel intense swellings of pride when a flag is raised or a deep sense of loyalty when patriotic songs are sung. i mostly just have a general gratitude for freedom and people who work to protect that. maybe it's the never ending war we are fighting, our current president, the climbing gas prices, taxes, the housing market, social security issues, the economy, or the ugliness over who's conservative/who's liberal and why they HATE the other side so much... any of these reasons could led anyone to throw their hands up and declare an indifference to patriotism (perhaps not unlike someone who goes to a not so great high school and cant understand why they are forced to go to pep rallies and cheer about school spirit). then i thought about my sister brittany. when i was at her house a couple of weeks ago i admitted to her that i know we are lucky to live in the USA, but there are other free countries too and i just dont really feel all that patriotic. i felt guilty admitting this out loud, but i was glad because she gave me a little perspective. she shares some of my indifference about the upcoming elections, the war...etc. but said that she was patriotic because of our grandpa hawkins. he was a marine in WWII, was at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed, and fought hard. he is a tough cowboy and still has a hard time talking about that day. it would be disrespectful to not honor him and so many others who have either risked or given their lives so that i can comfortably sit in my little house and blog freely about my likes and dislikes when it comes to the government. he and so many others have protected that right. things will never be perfect. the only thing i put my full trust in is the Lord. but we can live, think, and speak freely in a country that continues to protect our right to do so. i can definitely get behind that and feel highly grateful and deeply patriotic.
it was a great fourth of july with a perfect beach day at kawela bay, i made tons of food for a family gathering at our house, more food and fireworks with landlords and lots of play! ambrose was cautious of the fireworks (especially the loud ones) so he stuck close to mom and grandma linda, but he had so much fun and HE ATE MEAT! my landlord michael makes the meanest ribs we have ever devoured. ambrose couldn't get enough and now i have an impossible standard to try and meet. :)
5 comments:
i felt a special connection to this 4th since my little brother just got inducted to the united states naval academy on july 2nd. i love listening to my grandpas old war stories, they are hard for him to talk about too but a couple years back we asked if he would make a special night of it. we video taped it and it was one of the coolest nights of my life. i felt like a little kid all wrapped up in his stories.
ps. your food looks so yummy!!
sorry- that was me. echo not marc.
I agree. I have bever been the most patriotic person and when I tell people that they usually get mad at me. It isn't my favorite holiday. But I do respect this country and those who have fought and died for it. It looks like you had a great party! Ambrose is adorable!
thought provoking and nice. for patriotism, i feel like i'm the exact same page as you, like we're even the same comma in the same sentence in the second paragraph.
and i don't mean to complain, because i love the quantity of pictures, but i can't help but wish they were a smidge larger? what asking too much?
okay, i see that all i have to do is "click to enlarge," as they say. you are oh so 1950's chic.
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