Every time Independence Day rolls around, I start thinking about my decision to allow me to truly embrace the freedoms of this nation. Unlike many Americans, I chose to become an American, being a naturalized citizen. One of my friends even joked that my patriotism greatly surpassed his own, but because I got to choose which country I wanted to be most closely aligned with, listing pros and cons, I take my citizenship and all its rights very seriously. And it pains me to see how some take it all for granted, selfishly insisting that freedom means simply doing whatever one desires, disregarding what our nation's founders envisioned for this country.
I was blown away by being able to see the flag which inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Smithsonian. Just the size of it amazed me. And to think of all the people who've worked and sacrificed to ensure the freedoms we can enjoy.
While I try not to let the ungrateful bunch bother me, I never want to be complacent but want to be grateful for those who have and still are striving to maintain our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and to become one of them, in my own, little (or perhaps big) way.
Photo Credit:Image: nixxphotography / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
