Here in the United States of America we are celebrating our Independence Day, wahooo!!  Happy 4th of July to everyone celebrating; enjoy the sunshine, barbecues, and fireworks!!

Most countries around the world have a national day where they celebrate being liberated from some oppressive power held over them by another.  It’s a day where people feel especially proud of who they are, the country they call home, and not giving up or in to what they knew is their right to freedom and equality.  While today is a day of celebration and having fun, it also is a day to remember and be grateful for how this freedom is possible.  And, to remind ourselves we still have to keep up the good fight for those who don’t yet have the liberties we can take for granted.

Thank you to our service men and women, our veterans, our police officers, firefighters, EMT’s, lifeguards and every civil servant for all the you do to keep us safe and free!!  These fine people put their lives at risk EVERYDAY so we can build our sand castles and sleep at night without fear.  As a country, we don’t appreciate enough what they do and we almost never thank their families.  Thank you to the families who send your loved ones out each morning with a prayer and blessing they will return home to you safely.  You deserve so much credit for the stress and worry you go through and the support you give your loved ones that keeps them strong and able for every battle. THANK YOU.

And, while I personally don’t think we can ever thank our heroes enough, today also is about remembering there are still so many people in this world who are not free and need our help.  All over the world, there are groups and individuals who are struggling in one way or another.  We still have child soldiers, a raging war in the Middle East, LGBT discrimination, and women who for the first-time ever will be allowed to compete in the London Summer Olympics.  But, they still can’t drive a car or vote.  And, not to mention the tragic life of famine North Korean’s endure daily and ongoing, destruction of our natural forests and animals.  (Yes, I think we need to protect our natural ecosystem just as much.)

This is happening even here in the United States.  Every day in San Francisco (supposedly a wealthy city), I am asked by someone if I can buy them something to eat.  This, all the while our government is paying farmers to not grow crops, thus, driving up food prices for all of us.  That just doesn’t make sense while there is even one child who goes to bed at night hungry.  With so many injustices that remain in the world, we can not stop fighting until everyone has freedom and independence.

While we all deserve to kick-back and enjoy this beautiful day and revel with our family and friends, let’s not forget to take a minute to remember what it really means.  And, that even though we are free, tomorrow there will still be people who need us!!

If you are not able to make it to a place with fireworks, you can watch the live stream from the White House at 8pm EST here.   And, tell them to fix the farmer’s subsidy bill!!

Happy 4th of July, I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful and safe holiday!  Now’s a good time to put on another layer of sunscreen!!