For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
Poem "Pikes Peak" written by
Katharine Lee Bates
I thought it only fitting to include the words from "America the Beautiful" which was original written by Katharine Bates after her visit to Pikes Peak, right here in Colorado. Having been there myself I understand the awe it inspires.
I spent some time today reflecting on all the different places my Faithful and Obedient Companion and I have celebrated our July 4th celebrations.
A quick rundown:
Philadelphia- many during our years growing up and our first year of Marriage (Including The "Bicentennial" year of our marriage). A few of these likely included celebrations at the Jersey Shore.
Florida in 1978 and 1979-the last of which I actually observed hundreds of fireworks from the air -apart from My Faithful and Obedient Companion- while flying to my new Job in Michigan on the 4th of July in 1979.
Berkley Michigan 1980 to 1984
Limerick Pa 1985 to 1988
Yardley Pa from 1989 to 2006
New York City 2007
Stowe Vermont 2008-2015
Salt Lake City 2016
Winter Park Colorado 2017 and 2018
Yes Barbara and I have celebrated our country's Birth in many places from "Sea to Shining Sea".
A few recent memories include:
My own Fireworks display for several years in Stowe including some with Maria and Vern (and or their kids) and some with our Stowe "neighbors".
The spectacular NY City Display from the roof of our apartment with the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop.
The panorama of many community fireworks over the entire Salt Lake Valley from our yard in Cottonwood Heights Utah.
Finally last year from our deck in Winter Park-with the Continental Divide as a spectacular backdrop.
Yes "The 4th" is a special reminder for me of how we as a country can still find a common ground in wishing our country a "Happy Birthday"
Which brings me to my "Observation" for today. Every year at about this time I watch Ted Turner's production of "Gettysburg" that epic Civil War Battle that took place the first 3 days in July of 1863. I always watch it alone...because My Faithful and Obedient Companion simply cannot watch it with me . You see since a family visit to Gettysburg (when the kids were young) Barbara is still haunted by the carnage of that Battle.
For me, on the other hand, it is a reminder of the resilience of our country, which, despite a war that that once tore us apart, has survived and managed to overcome these differences. Granted not without a lot of pain and misery over many years, but somehow we managed to come together again as "One Nation Under God, Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All" as our guiding principle.
Having lived in both Blue States, and Red States both of us have managed to make friends of all political persuasions. I will not speak for my spouse, but I know I have found everywhere we lived many good people with similar visions of America being the "Greatest Country on Earth". This despite having differences of opinion on what exactly that all means and how we get there.
I for one find comfort in that, and believe that regardless of today's perceived dysfunctions politically, we will continue to be a bastion of freedom throughout the world for many years to come.
Happy Birthday USA!
Until Next Time I bid you all
Adieu
