My Hero and My Heart

Today we celebrate the greatest American holiday - Independence Day.
Without it, and the freedoms won with it, we would have no Memorial Day, Labor Day or Thanksgiving Day.

As I see the struggles of other nations around the world today, striving for the basic right of freedom, I can't help but draw a line back in our American history to those same struggles our ancestors suffered.
Their courage and great sacrifices are our foundation. Our heritage.

America's founding fathers were not perfect, not all wise, not all benevolent and certainly not all masters of integrity. But no nation was ever formed in an error free bubble. And thankfully, we have grown and evolved as a true nation for all under God.

The ones who have gone before us and have created and expanded our nation were no different that us today. They lived and worked and loved and fought and in some cases died for love of faith, family, fortune and freedom. Everyday people thrust into extraordinary circumstances that changed the course of history. Each life touching another in ways great and small, passing from generation to generation the lessons learned and wisdom acquired through both failure and success. That is the true strength of our nation, everyday heroes, great and small.

As I worked on these layouts for my scrapbook class, I filtered through photos of my Dad in his Army days. He never talked about it much, but I do remember one evening when he was reflecting on his days in Korea. He was sharing how awful the living conditions were of so many Korean natives. My Dad had such a big compassionate heart and I could hear it in his voice how it broke his heart to see them struggle so. He had such respect for their dignity and courage in the face of adversity and I heard how it changed him and his view of humankind.

My Dad was an extraordinary man - to me. And to others, I know. But really, an ordinary man placed in extraordinary circumstances. And my Hero.

I see so many of his qualities in Emma.
She has such a strong sense of who she is. She's loyal to a fault and she has such a compassionate heart for others.  I love that my Dad lives on in her spirit and I know that the qualities she inherited from him will serve her well as she grows into the woman God intends for her to be.

They took joy in each other - she was the apple of his eye and I know she deeply misses his presence in her life.
He was always proud of her and would be today as well.
She is the best of him and she is my Heart.

Today as I spend Independence Day with my family, I will surely feel the pride of all Americans as we remember our past and hope for our future. Like you, I will salute my flag and watch the "bombs bursting in air" and choke back tears and heart swells as I always do when I hear our National Anthem played. I welcome it and thank God for my heritage. And pray for our future generations.

God bless you my friends, and may God Bless America still.
~~Robin