Happy 249th Birthday, America. I remember the 1976 Bi-Centennial with a child's eyes. I remember Holly Hobbie, high-waisted jeans, short shorts, and red, white, and blue in fashion for nearly everything. What a season it was.
TheVietnam War still held fresh differences of opinions and fresh wounds, but a 200th Birthday party gave the country a reason to come together. (Earworm is singing the Beatles song "Come Together". The tune is catchy.) Somehow, we needed to come together.
The Bi-Centennial reminded us of all of the blood, sweat, sacrifice, and tears that built this country we call home. My Dad's side came as immigrant farmers in the late 1800's with the dream of owning their own land. Hard work and sacrifice made their dreams come true. Some uncles were lost in the great wars. Dad and Uncle Mel both served in the Army. Uncle Mel served in the Korean War. Dad was in the reserves at Fort Lee, Virginia, between Korea and Vietnam.
My Mama's Bess side cleared the land and made their home from Massachusetts, Connecticut, to Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Illinois. They came from England, Germany, Scotland, and Ireland. Most came with nothing but the clothes on their back, a strong work ethic, and bone-deep stubbornness that refused defeat. Grandma Opal Maxine's brother, Sister-in-Law (and their children) and a nephew survived Pearl Harbor. The St. John family were some of the earliest settlers in the new world and in Iroquois County.
Dad and Mama took us to Washington, D.C. in the summer of 1979. Arlington Cemetery was humbling. General Robert E. Lee's home (a gift to his wife from his father-in-law) tour brought the time of the Civil War to life for me. The tour guide observed my interest in the tiny piano-forte and asked if I played. He invited me behind the rope to play the piano-forte that Robert E. Lee purchased it for his daughter. Thankfully, I had a Sonatina memorized. I have never felt so connected to history than at that moment as an 8th grader.
In the ugliness of war, it is very likely Lee's home would have been burned. Lincoln had asked Lee to lead the Union Army. It was not an easy decision for Lee. Lincoln did not hate Lee. Lee did not hate Lincoln.
I remember the guide telling us that Lincoln decided to put a Union headquarters in Lee's home to keep it from being destroyed. Lincoln respected Lee and ached for the division in the country.
Lincoln's capacity to feel the hurt in others came from knowing the taste of grief from early in his life. The Bible was his compass and his favorite book. He could read a situation and a room. His wit was sharp and quick.
As you know, "Daily Gratitude" is intentionally non-political. As we celebrate a country that has survived taking up arms brother against brother, I am reminded of this scripture:
But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
"But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. " -Matthew 12:25, Mark 3:24, & Luke 11:17
When three of the Gospels record the same warning from Jesus, we had better pay attention. Our beautiful flag is blood-stained, but it still represents hope when I see it flying in the wind.
Today, I am grateful for another 4th of July.
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