Happy Birthday to the USA!

My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!

                           ~Thomas Jefferson

 Every year, in the middle of summer, America celebrates what we consider to be our country's birthday. Every child in this country grows up learning the story of the Declaration of Independence and how it was written and signed on July 4th, 1776 by our founding fathers. The National Archives in Washington, DC, houses an original copy of this precious document-- I have seen it a couple times and have marveled at it. How it is just paper, with crumpled edges and fading ink. Encased in a special climate/humidity/light controlled  exhibit, guarded by an honor guard, it is a wonderful thing. A physical example that still remains of an idea, a spirit, a rebellion that founded our nation.

There is much that is wrong with this country. I often struggle with the things I find our country could improve on... and why we aren't doing a better job of improving it. Probably each of you has a list of similar concerns. But today, let's celebrate the fact that we can raise concerns. We can work to change our country, to improve it. And we can cherish it.

Recent events in Egypt, where a leader was democratically elected but mistakenly thought this gave him a mandate to become an autocrat, and where the people have risen up against him, have given me pause.  It is the second uprising in two years, and an example of how the ideals of democracy can be misunderstood, but the spirit of it can't be denied the people who want it. I have been moved by this event-- and made acutely aware of how lucky I am to live where I do. While we are far from perfect here, we have an understanding of both the spirit of democracy and the responsibility of it.

So, on America's 237th birthday, let's celebrate the blessing of living in a democracy where we can criticize, work to improve, and enjoy our country. Happy Birthday, America!