My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
1. Local summertime green beans.
2. The evolutionary A B C’s of our Fourth of July afternoon nap yesterday.
A.
B.
C.
3. The amazing ability to step out of bed, stretch and start a brand new day! (Everyone is not able to do that incredible feat.)
4. Pink
5. Being able to watch Savannah’s fireworks through our living room window.
Make your weekend have a few colorful and firework-y crackles, whistles, bangs and sizzles.
It is with divided sentiments that I awake early this 2025 Fourth of July and set the table for our little Independence Day breakfast.
Last evening Robert and I went over to daughter Amy’s for a family cookout and to watch incredible day-early fireworks from her lovely Moon River-facing balcony.
But as I stood behind my husband Robert and my ex-wife Donna, as they leaned on the railing toward the patriotic display …
… and as I listened to Lee Greenwood iconically singing from my son-in-law‘s speakers:
… I wondered, in the midst of the firework’s bangs, crackles, whistles and sizzles, if Lee’s words still ring true. Does the flag still stand for freedom under the current fascist regime? And if so, freedom for whom? For me as a married gay man? For my daughters and granddaughters to have autonomy over their own bodies? For my trans friends to live without threats of discrimination or even murder? Etc. Etc.
But Lee would have nothing of that viewpoint, as he continued to sing …
That absolute “knowing” of freedom in the USA has faded somewhat for me.
I love yesteryear Kate Smith’s rendition of “God bless America,”
This morning, her phrase “through the NIGHT” emanates new meaning for me. For we are living/trying to live through a Darkened Night Phase of our beloved country, with democracy under attack from within by our own leaders. A democracy which my husband Robert spent nearly 30 years in the Army trying to defend. A democracy which many of his comrades gave their lives to defend.
So why do I display the flag this Independence Day morn?
And why do I still feel a measure of pride as I take my morning walk and see all of this in my Savannah neighborhood?
Because I hope and believe that God (or whatever force you believe is greater than evil) Will Bless the True America and grant us a new Dawn of Democracy after this Darkness.
I especially like this darkened black and white version of Kate Smith’s “God bless America.”
Now that it has brightened up a bit, I’m going to sit down with HR (Hubby Robert) for breakfast.
NealEnJoy 