July 4 - Happy 4th

I have another great, guest post here for you all from Megan Weems, writer of fantasticalmegs.blogspot.com!   Megs is an excellent esthetician, talented singer and my creative soulmate.  I hope you enjoy her post and be sure to leave her some comments of appreciation!

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It’s finally here!

Happy 4^th of July!

I know many of you have been looking forward to this day since, well, last Independence Day! I know in my circle, the 4^th represents everything wonderful about the summer:

We make good on our plans to relax with those we love;

We barbecue and play games;

We don our swimsuits and splash around in the water;

Sit curbside at city parades,

& we soak ourselves with bug repellent before stretching out under brilliant

firework displays.

Growing up, July 4^th wasn’t at the top of my list of favorite holidays. Christmas came in first, Santa Claus second, and all things jingle bells third- are you catching a theme? There were many years, however, that I had a blast celebrating our nation’s independence, and one of those was when I was about five years old…

My family and I were in Washington State visiting our extended family, and everyone got together on my uncle’s land for a barbecue and fireworks show. What I didn’t know was fireworks “show” actually meant fireworks WAR.  In the middle of slathering my hotdog with mustard, my uncles (who were full grown men, 30 years +) began running around with lit Roman Candles in-hand, shooting at each other from behind wheelbarrows! I can remember climbing onto my aunt’s lap and giggling when my uncles got hit and yelped like schoolboys. Obviously this is not what the manufacturer intended, nor should you try it at home, but it sure made for a memorable 4th!

*If you’re curious to see what a Roman Candle war looks like, watch this and try not think of wizards: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im_3ROAWqWs&feature=related

Now that I’m an adult, Independence Day has grown to be a favorite holiday of mine. I think about the freedoms I have as an American, let alone as an American woman, and I am humbled. I love how July 4th brings our nation together, our communities celebrating from east to west. I’ve come to associate this day with being grateful; that it’s a day to extend thanks to our service men and women- fellow citizens who have dedicated their lives to protecting what our forefathers established in the Declaration of Independence.

Most of all, the 4^th of July is a reminder of our greatest blessing: freedom. And that, my fellow LiveMLP family, is what I believe is at the foundation of this project: the freedom to go after the experiences that make us feel alive! So let’s take full advantage of it!

Happy Birthday, America!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRUjr8EVgBg&feature=related

July 4th - Freedom

Happy Independence Day everyone.  I really hope you are all enjoying your holiday weekend, getting lots of family time in, and making fantastic memories!  We have another great guest blogger today.  Introducing Lorien Harris Asisi, she is one of my sister-in-laws and I LOVE this great post that she put together.  Be sure to leave some blog love for her in the comments.

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The Fourth of July.  What a great holiday. This holiday is particularly meaningful to me because a long time ago I used to be a flight attendant, way back in 2000-2001.  One of the routes I often flew was from Chicago to LaGuardia (one of the 2 New York City Airports). I quit in May of 2001, that's a story for another post ;), so when the tragic day of September 11, 2001 happened I was obviously shocked, devastated, mad and also very relieved that I was not a flight attendant anymore.  I also felt a great sense of sadness wondering if, out of the thousands of United Airlines flight attendants, I would by chance know any that sadly happened to be working on any of those flights.  Thankfully I did not, but I also felt tremendous grief for them because I didn't know them, and knowing that they lost their lives for such a hateful and shameful reason.  I pictured what they must have been doing to prepare the passengers and themselves for the inevitable.  I wondered if I would have known what to do, would I put to use all of the training I had gone through for those particular situations, or would I just wing it and try to stay calm for the passengers knowing all the while we would soon be dying.  Such tragic thoughts were going through my mind.  Needless to say I do not take my freedom for granted, I also try not to get upset at all of the security measures the government puts in place.  It is because of that fateful day that our government tries in every way to protect it's citizens, even if it does seem overboard at times.  

I am thankful to live in such an amazing nation.  Our government may be not be in perfect shape, or not run how everyone thinks it should, but guess what neither is any other country.  Every country has their own issues and problems. 

I love how free we really are and can have these blogs and social websites to say and express how we feel.  I love the pride expressed by musical artists, particularly country artists, and the kick ass songs they write about our country and being able to live free. 

I also love all of the freedom festivals that occur during the month of July.  As a kid every year we would go to our local festival in Olympia Washington, Lakefair.  What a glorious display of diversity.  We are free to wear whatever we want and look however we want. I remember being a teenager cruising up and down the midway looking for friends, boys, and enjoying all of the delicious food the fair had to offer. I remember riding the Zipper with my brother Scotty and getting it spinning so so fast, to the point of almost puking.  I remember sitting on the banks of Capitol Lake watching the amazing firework show.  Great memories, great traditions.  I am really excited to start traditions like those with my little family.

Here is a really great, inspiring quote and to go along with it my favorite soldier monument, The Iwo Jima.  

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." ~Elmer Davis

Happy Fourth of July everyone, be safe and remember exactly what this Holiday is all about!