I'm so grateful that the fourth falls on a Monday this year, which allowed an entire weekend of celebration. I'm grateful to get to spend time with so many loved ones and close friends. I'm grateful for the delicious food. I'm grateful for my husband spending 20 hours slow cooking fifteen pounds of pulled pork to perfection for our small family gathering. And I'm grateful to know there is some in the freezer for future meals and perhaps even post-delivery meals.
I'm grateful for the rains that came throughout the week and early part of the weekend to create a safer environment for fireworks. I'm grateful to see the rain move out in time for the firework shows to go on. I'm grateful for the awe it brings every year watching the colors bursting in the sky. And I'm grateful for the image in my mind of the flag still flying on the night the Star Spangled Banner honors.
I'm grateful for the freedoms we do have and I hope that we will continue as a people to stand up to keep those rights. I'm grateful for how far we've come towards equality while recognizing there is still a long a journey ahead. I'm grateful for the continued movement in the right direction. And I'm grateful for all the simple liberties I sometimes take for granted, like being able to post this blog and say how I feel.
What freedoms are you grateful for? What is your favorite part of this holiday?
May today keep everyone safe and merry. May we remember to stand up for our freedoms and find love to guide us.