This year I wanted to dress my little one patriotically as I always do for the 4th of July.  When I came across this outfit I thought it was the most clever thing I had ever seen.  Her little blue top had white sea stars and her red shorts had horizontal stripes.  I thought it was a perfect and fitting take on the “stars and stripes” for my little star of the sea; the meaning of her name in Latin.  It was a happy family time.  And she certainly has it different than when I was a kid.  There was music, face painting, a buffet, snow cones, bounce houses and glow sticks for when the sun set before the private fireworks began on the lawn.  I think my husband used to take the festivities for granted, having grown up with them all his life.  I am so thankful my little one has the privilege but I do NOT want her having the false sense of entitlement that too often accompanies such luxuries.  It’s a bit like living in America in general I think.  One simply EXPECTS clean, running water and electricity.  Now Americans seem to expect a TV in every room and food available wherever they may be — whether it’s a grocery store or a hardware store.  I do not want want to become complacent about any of it:  having a car, readily available medical treatment or AIR CONDITIONING!  Anyone able to read this is blessed simply by having access to a computer.  America may not be perfect but I still believe she affords all a chance at life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  As the song “America the Beautiful” says:

“O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!