25 EXPLOSIVE 4TH OF JULY IDEAS

I love that holidays have the possibility to be felt. We have holidays of all feelings: The excitement with mingled fear of a good scare/scream on Halloween; humbling gratitude of Thanksgiving, inducing us to look with an appreciating eye at all we have; quiet peace of Christmas, prompting us to give freely to our fellow men; love shown and expressed for Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Memorial Day. Many holidays have traditions, binding relationships through activities, tastes, smells, and love. Holidays have symbols that represent and remind, whether a simple manger or an explosive firework. Holidays are meant to be felt!

One of my favorite holidays celebrated throughout the year is one that I feel deep. I can’t help but feel an emotional pride when I hear the National Anthem, when I see and feel the explosions and color of fireworks, when we honor those that fight and sacrifice everything for our freedom, when I see our beautiful flag. We are FREE, we are PROUD. We are AMERICA!

{Cupcakes Printable}

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

I remember clearly the first time I heard the song, “God, Bless the U.S.A” It was my first day of Kindergarten. We’d just arrived in our room, fresh off of the bus, scared and a bit anxious in our new surroundings. Tentatively, we chose our desks, apprehensively sitting in our seats as we peered around in hope of friends. And then a voice was speaking through the walls and ceiling, telling us to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Directly after, while still standing with our tiny hands to our beating hearts, mesmerized by feeling as “…I stand up, next to you, and defend her still today, because there ain’t no doubt, I love this land. God, Bless the U.S.A” rang loudly through our school. We felt it– we were Proud to be Americans, even if we were too young to fully understand all that that means.

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d 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.

’TIS THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER – O LONG MAY IT WAVE

This Independence Day, take just a moment to remember the feelings of the day. Wars have been, are currently, and will be fought. Men and women, along with their families have, are currently, and will serve and sacrifice, even their own lives, for the freedoms we enjoy and commemorate on this holiday. Remember the fight, remember the sacrifice, allowing the thoughts to ignite the deep pride of the incredible privilege it is to live in this, the United States of America. As you hold your hand to your heart in humble salute to our flag, consider: Red stripes broadcast the courageous bravery and valour of American service men and women, and the unfailing devotion of their families. White stripes stand for purity and innocence. Blue represent allegiance and justice. Our Red, White, and Blue symbolizes the patriotic ideals and devotion of the citizens of the United States of America, the enduring principles of liberty, justice, and humanity. It truly is a Grand Ole Flag!

O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

So go ahead, flaunt your Red, White, and Blue proudly. Because it is freaking awesome to be American!