Monday, July 7, 2008

The Land of the Free...


Finally, I think we are somewhat settled. Thanks to all of you out there who helped us in our move....we love you! Creative Mondays are back on track starting next week--so watch, for that, if the vote goes through. (see sidebar to vote, don't worry you are not going to hurt my feelings-so just vote!) This past week we celebrated the 4th with Jed's family. We had a family BBQ and pool party. It was great to spend time with everyone, but bittersweet as we said goodbye to Jed's sister, Dani who is moving to Denver with her family. We will miss them, but are excited for them at the same time.
This past Sunday I got all choked up as we were singing the national anthem in church. We were all standing and singing. I stood between Isaac and Jared and noticed that they were not reading the lyrics but singing by memory. Hearing their sweet boy voices made the tears start to rise. They have been attending a charter school for the last 2 years and every morning they start the day in the gym with the whole school participating in a flag ceremony which not only includes saying the pledge of allegiance , but also singing the national anthem. I have been able to attend one and it was incredible to see these 500 kids respond with such respect to things we hold dear in this country. Things that I hope we still hold dear. Things that we need to hold dear. As I listened to my boys' voices a feeling of gratitude came over me that these boys have not had to see the horrors of war and injustice first hand in their young lives. I hope that they never have to. But if they do, I hope they can face such things with faith, dignity, courage and strength as those who have to do so now and have done in the past. Thank you to all our active military friends; The Carters, Cukors, Kenningtons, Johnsons who have sacrificed so much in the past year for the benefit of all of us.
"Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation!Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!" -Francis Scott Key

2 comments:

Settler's Bay Relief Society said...

You have wonderful kids. I teared up just reading your post. Thanks for the wonderful sentiments. I'm glad you got moved ok!

Lori said...

Hey how the heck are ya? Glad to hear you moved out of the box, sad that you left! Call me when you have a chance.