Home Sweet Home

Ah, the most magical time of summer.  It's hot, yes, but this is when the best memories are made.  This is the time of cotton sundresses and ice cold lemonade, a time of fireworks and fireflies.  It's barbeques and water balloon fights, and sudden rain showers that people run through laughing.  Today is Independence Day and this is America at its finest.

I've talked a lot about other places in the world, but I don't think I've ever done a post about my home country.  Well, it's high time I corrected that. 

I grew up with the same sentiment I've heard uttered a thousand times from others, "Oh, I'm American, I don't really have a culture or a history."  To that I would say, step outside America for about ten seconds an you'll know well and certain that everything about you, your clothes, your sense of humor, your voice (especially how loud it is and how often you say F*ck), and the way you interact with others sets you apart as being American.  

Americans have a very distinct culture and a very colorful history.  Yeah, some of it's not great, but show me a country that has a spotless record.  You can't.  That's people for you, no matter where we come from, we all make mistakes, so let's not dwell on that today, but let's not forget it either.

Let's not tear down the past, let's remember it, both good and bad, so we can continue the things we've done right and never repeat the things we've done wrong.  Because if we erase the past, especially the things we wish hadn't happened, we're only ensuring they will happen again and everything good--the traditions, the customs, the spirit--will be lost.  Let's not let that happen.

I've been all over the world and there is one thing that I know for certain, it's that America is an amazing place and my favorite country of all.  True, I've cherry picked a few favorite customs from other places, because no matter where you go there are wonderful things to see and things that need work, but there's nothing quite like being away from home to make a person realize just how great home truly is.

So, this little post is for you, America.  For your mountains and deserts, for your flat mid-west towns and your tall big cities.  For your people and your culture. I love you.  For all that you have been, all that you have done, for all the ways you have changed the world for the better.  Your life has been a gift, a beacon of hope to so many.

Today I plan to celebrate in the traditional way.  I'll wear my cotton sundress in Home Sweet Home print, and bring along my American-as-apple-pie apple bag.  I'm making coleslaw, hot dogs, apple pie, and hard lemonade to add to whatever else family brings.  Then we'll sit outside in rocking chairs with family, telling stories from all the years gone by and laughing at all the happy times.  We'll even laugh at the hard times now that they're far enough behind us.  We'll probably fan ourselves and swat at flies.  The kids will splash in the pool until dark, and then the show begins.

Fireworks!  Not just ours but every neighbor on the mountain all at once creating a show to light up the sky.  We see them year after year, but we still gasp and OOOOooooooh in wonder each time the lights burst against the night sky just like we did when we were children.

We'll look around at the faces of loved ones gazing up in wonder and take a moment to be thankful for each person with us, and another moment to remember each who has passed, and we will be grateful for the sacrifices of so many that brought us to this happy place.  Then we'll whisper a prayer  for this country, that thought hard times may come, it never falls so far into darkness that it can't come back.

Happy Birthday, America.  Happy Independence Day.  This is an amazing place that I am proud to call my home, sweet home.  

Shopping Info: Chelsea Dress in Home Sweet Home-$172 from BernieDexter.com, Apple Purse from UniqueVintage, Gizo Heels in Red-$79 from HoniaraVintage.com, Gemvie Hat from Aliexpress