July Fourth

I'm the first one up this morning - just the way I like it. I would probably enjoy sleeping in, too, but I'll take peace and quiet when I can get it. I think I'll haul this book around with me today - 1776 by David McCullough. Got it for my birthday, and it seems appropriate today to read about the men who committed treason, wanting something more than the status quo for their families and this land.

Last summer, I read Joseph Ellis' Founding Brothers, looking at the relationships between people as they made decisions (and put off decisions) in giving birth to a new country. I liked the narrative of the personal letters between friends and between foes, seeing that these men treated each other as gentlemen for the most part - a welcome sight when going through last year's mudslinging political campaigns.

We live in a country that has been given much, and from which much will be required. "God Bless America" and "God Bless the USA" really needs to be replaced with a heartfelt desire to be a blessing to the rest of the world. It seems like we try to do just that, but somewhere in the mix capitalism and let's-make-money-on-this-ism kicks in and we lose sight of the goal: blessed to be a blessing. I think the "founding fathers" would be proud of a lot of things, and would just shake their heads at many more. We can do better, and I'm praying that we will.

That's my prayer and my rant for the day. I'm going to start a pot of coffee, enjoy my book while watching the morning news, and look forward to BBQ and peach ice cream later on in the heat & humidity that is summer in South Carolina. Hope y'all have a great fourth.