Fireworks

Growing up, my family always went to see fireworks displays on Independence Day, but it wasn't my sister or I that insisted we go; it was my mother. She loved (and still loves) fireworks. None of the rest of us were as enamored but we always indulged her. And when my little brother came along and absolutely hated fireworks because the noise hurt his ears, we still went, and he would cover his ears or sit in the car with the windows rolled up. Dad knew how much Mom loved the fireworks, so if there was a way for us to see them, we did.

I never disliked fireworks, but not until tonight did it hit me--"it" being what makes fireworks so magical. That wonderment--that simple awe my mother has always had finally made sense to me tonight. It's easy enough to explain how fireworks work, but when you see them in the air you just don't think about it. As they're bursting in the air you're amazed at how they seem larger than life. Their brilliance really does awe you, and you sense their power as they explode with that huge noise and the bright flash of colors.

And in a lot of ways those fireworks can serve as a reminder to what America is. America is an idea that is larger than life. We're one of a kind. As the city on the hill we have shared the brilliant light of freedom and exhibited our power throughout the years. But just because we were founded as in independent nation, doesn't mean we will stay that independent nation. We have to fight for it every day. Independence comes at a great cost.

We also have to realize that independence is not the freedom to do whatever we want, it is the freedom to do what is right. The former is anarchy. The latter is the America our founders envisioned when they declared independence 235 years ago. So we now have the responsibility to guard their legacy and extend it to future generations. So always remember to celebrate America's independence and never forget to fight to preserve it!

Happy Independence Day