Tonight as I went out to lock the girls in for the night I was not prepared for the beautiful orange of the western sky as it peeked between the evergreen boughs. The night was quiet with a light breeze gently moving the leaves of the flowering crab tree. It was the perfect ending to some very busy days.
The last weeks have been very busy. I have a feeling we are trying to catch up and stay ahead of things between the heavy rainstorms that we have been given. The lawn seems to be growing faster than we can get it mowed. And the weeds in the fields and garden have been doing the same.
Arnold’s Park
In between all the day to day house/farm stuff, we had the 4th of July holiday thrown in. I really love that holiday because we spend it at my sister’s place at the lake. Family and friends gather for a day of fun, food, boat rides and game playing. Stories are traded, babies are held, recipes are traded and the day ends with the traditional firework display.
As I sat there and watched those fireworks I noticed the flag flying proudly at Arnold’s Park. It did make me pause and realize what this celebration was really all about…the birth of our nation and the sacrifice it took to make it through all the labor pains of that birth.
It made me think of the blood that was shed and is still being shed so that freedoms can be protected. I am so grateful for those that are willing to make that sacrifice for us. I am grateful for those who leave their families for months at a time so I can spend a holiday with mine.
We were concerned about the weather as storms were predicted to roll in during the day….fortunately they were wrong this time. We were able to take a walk along the lake the next morning and enjoy the quiet of the lake after the very people-filled day before.
It was kind of amazing how quiet the water was that morning. The day before it was choppy due to all the boats and jet skis that were zipping around. It was a great reminder that there are usually two sides to most things in life…you just have to open your eyes to both of them.
In the space of 24 hours we saw both sides of the lake…the busy and the quiet. We were able to see a dazzling fireworks display and enjoy the freedom of that while reflecting on the sacrifice it takes to keep those freedoms.
I will always be grateful for those freedoms and that sacrifice. When I am privileged to stand in my backyard, inhaling the fragrance of blooming lilies, feeling the light breeze whisper past my cheek and see the sky on fire with brilliant shades of orange; I will give thanks to those who have paid the ultimate price. I will remember the two sides that are freedom.
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must,
like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
Thomas Paine
The Chicken Grandma 
Beautifully said. Your 4th of July celebration sounds like it was truly wonderful. We are so blessed to live in this great nation. So grateful to those who keep us safe and allow us freedom.
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Our holiday was a grand day. I love spending time with friends and family and catching up on what is going on in their world.
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A great post Faye. There are generally always two sides to everything we encounter in life. The difference in the lake in one day is a good example. I enjoyed reading every word of this post. Hope the rain begins to level out in your area. We are also having too much rain here in Arkansas. The grass is growing twice as fast as normal here for July. Ha
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The rain here is kind of crazy. Some get 1 inch and some get 4 inches and they are only a few miles apart. After one 4 inch rain we now seem to be getting the inch ones …..which we are really grateful that it is only that much.
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Sounds just like the rain situation here.
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July 4th on the lake is just about perfect. I grew up that way as my family had a marina on the Res. North of Jakson. Of course we were all working so everyone else could enjoy the day but it was still a fun time.
I’m not sure people understand just how close we are to losing our freedom. Time will tell and until then God help us.
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Having a marina sounds like a great job….but then I do love water.
I totally agree with you about people just not understanding. When I hear the college kids want everything free and not understand someone has to pay for it…..just makes me shake my head and wonder what will happen.
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A beautiful post Faye. I do think I take our freedom for granted a lot. A great reminder that it came at a high price.
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We do take it for granted Ruth. I always wonder who taught the present collage age kids American history…or were they not taught that?
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Beautiful sentiments, Faye. after all the nation bashing we are hearing from politicians, blogs like this are sweet music, indeed.
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Thank you so much Al. I come from a long line of very patriotic people…..and I am so grateful for that also. I also have/had uncles and nephews in the military.(My dad had a bum leg from stepping in a pitchfork as a kid and wasn’t accepted. He still feels bad about it at the age of 86) Having that also gives one a different perspective on our history and how we cherish freedom and what it takes to hang on to it.
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A very beautiful post, but I did have a chuckle at your first sentence…”as I went out to lock the girls in for the night”. Being a long time reader I know “the girls” are your chickens, but a Hansel and Gretel image came to my mind and as I said, gave me a morning chuckle!
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LOLOL. As I wrote that line I grinned also. I wondered how many people wondered about what kind of woman I was :). I do feed the girls bread crumbs every morning so it is kind of a Hansel and Gretel thing!
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