God Bless America! Land that I love!

"Here's to high treason. That's what our founding fathers were committing when they signed the Declaration. Had we lost the war, they would have been hanged, beheaded, drawn and quartered, and-Oh! Oh, my personal favorite-and had their entrails cut out and burned. So... Here's to the men who did what was considered wrong, in order to do what they knew was right." --Ben Gates, National Treasure--

This wasn't the best fourth of July I've ever had, but it didn't take away one fact: Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. Last night was just as great as any. I had a friend though talk about how much she disliked holidays because they are for people who have someone. She said I liked holidays because I always have a really big family to celebrate them with. But even this fourth of July, I sat in my house all day watching movies. The only festive thing I did was fireworks.

But the reason Fourth of July is my favorite holiday is because...well...I've become a cynic. I know, that doesn't make sense, so let me explain. Please. I've been in hundreds of plays, I've seen thousands of movies, I've dealt with some extremely sappy and emotional situations. I've also had to experience things that have hardened my emotions, because it's too much to feel that intense of emotion. (I won't go into detail there.)

But America. Patriotism. This country. The Red, White, and Blue. This is something that still makes me feel such emotion. I Love this country. Yes, it has major problems and we're all in a crisis, bla bla bla. But the truth is, I love this country. I love for what it stands for. I love my grandpa and Brother for fighting for what they know is right. And as I watched those fireworks last night, and listened to those songs about what makes America, I was grateful. I was grateful to be in this America for its birthday instead of in Germany or India or Anywhere else. I was grateful to be celebrating the fourth like millions of other Americans were doing. I sat and thought about my family in the various places in the country watching fireworks too. And then I thought of all the Americans everywhere watching fireworks, and it made me happy and proud.

I wish we were as United every day as we are on that holiday. What a great country we would be again if we could all work together instead of trying to tear people down. We should lift and support our leaders, encouraging them to make good choices for our well-being. I'm so glad for the founding fathers who took a stand against Tyranny, who sacrificed everything to give those living in these colonies a chance. I'm so very grateful for all the men who have lived and died to give us our freedoms and give others their freedoms.

And as I watched those fireworks last nigh, I actually had a tear roll down my cheek as I thought, "I am so glad to be apart of America. A part of hotdogs, rock and roll, country music, popsicles, red and white checkered pic nic tables, apple pie, football, baseball, Chili, and all those other things that make us America."