A few intrepid souls with
conviction stronger than their desire for self-preservation took a risk, the
ultimate gamble. Treason hung in the air
accompanying the humidity that must have been palpable on that early July
morning. Cloistered in Carpenter’s Hall
in the birthplace of liberty pen was placed to paper and immortal words were
proffered, negotiated, scribed and ratified.
Traveling near and far, mostly by
horseback or simple carriage, to participate in ground-breaking decisions that
would chart the course for a great Nation to evolve, these people were
committed to the cause. The luxuries of
today, jetting or training in and out of town, seemingly transient, in order to
sleep in their bed with loved ones at the end of the day was not
available. The road to independence was
truly rocky, pitted and rough. Devotion
was real, trepidation high. Contemplating
leaving the womb of the mother country was neither easy nor self-evident.
Political pioneers aren’t always
welcome. Inertia carries most days. The easy acceptance of sameness can lull us
into a false sense of security. What is
security? The absence of risk? The absence of worry? An abundance of safety? Add you definition of security. But however you define the protection from encroachment,
security is never as entrenched or unassailable as we would like to believe.
Our nation will celebrate its two
hundred thirty-ninth birthday this week.
We will partake in festivities.
Flags of all vintages will wave proudly.
Our right to celebrate should recognize the reason. Commercial interests have already begun to
educate us, to cajole us to purchase their product(s) in order to ensure
blissful commemoration doesn’t fall short of wallet-lightening expectations.
Try to put commercialism aside for
a moment and offer a few words of gratitude for those who made the sacrifice,
not knowing whether they would be hailed or hung for their efforts.
Declaring independence is the first
step in our journey. There will be many
footfalls; some loud, others soft. Some
will resonate and attract others to join.
Others will sound hollow as their echo reminds us that independence can
sometimes be a lonely journey.
Do not fret my friends. You are strong although at times you either
wish you weren’t a rebel or don’t feel the essence of yourself carrying the
day.
Happy birthday America and may your
physical and emotional freedom come at lower cost and less stress than the
founding fathers encountered.
Love and hugs, Nikki DiCaro
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