Happy 4th

Wishing all of you the happiest Independence Day.  I’ve been re-watching the “John Adams” miniseries (which is a must-rent) watching the events leading up to the creation of what I believe is the greatest nation on Earth.

Despite all of our nation’s problems, we are truly blessed to live in a country that we are able to disagree, criticize our government, and speak freely.  A simple look at the turmoil in other nations should make us proud to be Americans.

Here is one of my favorite independence day poems.

Fourth of July Ode By James Russell Lowell

Our fathers fought for liberty,
They struggled long and well,
History of their deeds can tell–
But did they leave us free?

Are we free from vanity,
Free from pride, and free from self,
Free from love of power and pelf,
From everything that’s beggarly?

Are we free from stubborn will,
From low hate and malice small,
From opinion’s tyrant thrall?
Are none of us our own slaves still?

Are we free to speak our thought,
To be happy, and be poor,
Free to enter Heaven’s door,
To live and labor as we ought?

Are we then made free at last,
From the fear of what men say,
Free to reverence To-day,
Free from the slavery of the Past?

Our fathers fought for liberty,
They struggled long and well,
History of their deeds can tell–
But ourselves must set us free.