Here, now...

Had an interesting conversation this morning. As usual it was with a cashier at my "favorite" store. As I stood watching and waiting for this particular cashier (who happened to look similiar to me in skin color) to finish ringing up my items, many of which will be consumed later today as we celebrate the 4th, she made a comment that went something like this..."Celebrate Independence Day? We wasn't free. We were slaves back then. So what are we celebrating for. Some people will celebrate anything." I smiled and replied that nevertheless, I would be eating my share of "jucylucy's", (if you never had one...ya just gotta!), corn on the cob, baked beans, and that in other parts of the world there are still people that are indentured against their will. I paid my bill and left the store. Now, I must confess the remarks she made didn't really hit me until I was in my car and on the way home. My thoughts? Well...
We celebrate Independence Day here, now, today, not necessarily for what occured 233 years ago, but for the freedom we enjoy TODAY. I have had the opportunity to travel via the USMC to many different countries and I can say without reservation that the USA is the most free of ANY country in the entire world! I doubt the cashier that made the remarks was ever enslaved. However, she is free today to make those types of remarks without fear of reprisal...something that people in many other countries cannot boast about.
This country is not perfect. We have a government that is flawed along with government officials that are far from being able to walk on puddles much less water. We, in this country have a myriad of problems that must be addressed...but, we also have the freedom to express our disapproval without someone coming to our homes in the middle of the night and kicking in our doors and "disappearing" us. Take time to think about that and give thanks that here, now, today...we are truly free. Happy 4th ya'll!