vervain13 | Independence Day (Reply)

Yesterday our celebration was quite different from those past. Usually we have spent the holiday celebrating with friends, great food, and the requisite libations, ;-). This time, however, we chose to stay at home and simply enjoy each other's company and a leisurely, relaxing day. Don's latest joy is genealogical research thanks to the inspiration of our friends Rick and Trish who are quite the family history enthusiasts. Don spent a good bit of the day combing public records online for clues to his roots while I indulged in Star Wars Galaxies...my FAVORITE videogame, :-D. In the afternoon we took a break and walked along the river and took more photos of the emerging summer blossoms enroute to the store and the local packy. With the afternoon coming to a close we enjoyed cocktails and wound down from our online activities in preparation for our holiday feast...crockpot barbecued ribs with dilled potato salad...mmmmmmmm, :-). We also had this wonderful Canadian ale, La Fin du Monde and Maudite, with dinner as we watched Boston's celebration on the Esplanade. All in all the broadcast went well and yet I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness with the awareness that we are still not full American citizens. People were waving flags, dancing, singing, and celebrating to their fullest. Great for them. But in all honesty and integrity I cannot display, carry, wave, wear, or pledge allegiance to the flag until the day of our full equality as citizens arrives. Then...and only then...will I take up the flag of this nation which still refuses to accept us as full citizens...even though we pay full taxes, vote, and positively contribute to the good of America.

All that said, I am grateful for my husband, the love, life, and friendships we share, our work, and our Path forward.