I woke up this morning to a skiff of snow in the very tops of the Rocky Mountains that are just a few miles away from where I live. That was joyous in itself because we have been in a serious drought for several years that has not lessened during these early spring months. In fact we've already have over 350 fires in the state--mostly started by man--and have lost three brave firemen. All the grass in our communities is turning white from water restrictions and even the leaves on our trees are turning brittle and dropping to the ground.
While I am faithfully trying to keep my flowers and garden alive, even the insects necessary to pollinate vegetables have been scarce and all our fruit trees had their blossoms frozen in the early spring and will produce nothing this year. I awaken each morning to a sun whose rays are trying to break through the heavy smoke that fills the air, makes my eyes water and my nose and throat close off whenever I am outside for more than a few minutes at a time. I am not looking forward to July and August when the temperatures often soar to over a hundred and the power bills skyrocket just trying to remain somewhat cool inside.
The situation in our state has become so critical that the governor declared a state of emergency and just announced on Friday that he has signed an executive order outlawing fireworks for the 250 year celebration of our country. Of course the city mayors can use their discretion in what transpires within their jurisdiction, but I have pretty much resolved that watching them on television this year will not show my lack of patriotism. That can be done in other ways while our limited resources are preserved and no homes will be subjected to unintentional burning.
Still, my feelings are very mixed as I contemplate how my 4th of July will be spent this year. I love our country dearly. I love the beautiful countryside, the amazing natural wonders and the kind-hearted people. But mostly I love the God-given freedoms so many evil persons are trying to strip from us and the proud and courageous men and women who are fighting in any way they can to protect what I hold so dear. I truly believe we as individual, and united, Americans were born in this country for a reason, and those who wish to join our citizenry should be expected to assimilate into our communities, stand for the same ideals and virtues and be willing to stand beside us as we fight to maintain the standards and way of life our ancestors gave their all for so their posterity could remain free. After all, isn't freedom to pursue one's dreams the overriding reason most immigrants come here? And if it isn't, it should be.
It breaks my heart when I read news articles about what is happening, mostly in our big, Democrat-run cities where the socialists and communists are no longer hiding. Ever since the end of World War II, they have been infiltrating our communities, towns, churches, schools and our local, state and national government agencies. They have diluted our citizenry, overrun our institutions of higher learning, weakened our spiritual fabric, commandeered our wealth and set themselves up in positions where they can influence and instigate laws that directly oppose our Constitution and Bill of Rights. But more importantly, they have conquered the human minds of our children and set them on a course to servitude masked as free everything until the money runs out.
But even with all the negative that abounds in the world, and all the unsound judgments the Supreme Court Court is making in favor of the far and radical left, I have hope that our Constitution will prevail and our flag of beautiful Stars and Stripes will still be flying long after my remains have turned to dust. Our God and Eternal Father promoted the founding of our country for His purposes and He will never let our Constitution be trampled on to the point on destruction. Those fighting for our freedom may be few in number at the end and facing unbelievable challenges, but with God's help they will prevail until our Savior returns once more and the purpose for this earth's existence is complete.
I never fail to marvel at the completeness of His glorious plan for His children. Regardless of the time they were appointed to come here, their lives were filled with desires, dreams, struggles, promises and hope. On Memorial Day last month I had sort of an epiphany when it came to my ancestors. Like many of you I am deeply interested in finding out more about my family, but this particular day I wad drawn to the stories my grandmother and uncle had written. During the months my mother was dying from cancer, her request for me was to take all of the manuscripts she had inherited and compile, type, edit and put copies of them in binders so each of her children would have them.
My dismay at her request was sound because I wanted to spend time with her as my sisters were doing, but I can now see why she asked such a hard thing of me. I was the only one in our entire family with the desire or skills necessary to complete such an arduous task, and had I not done as she requested an important part of our family history would have been lost. I have glanced through that binder of stories, reading and poetry a number of times, but none of my siblings or cousins have.
But on that particular day when I was unable to visit any family graves because they were too far away, I felt impressed to pull that binder off the shelf and look through it. My eyes filled with tears almost immediately with love for my grandmother and uncle who were the only ones to support me during a certain life trial when I was eighteen and left completely on my own. I knew in that moment how important it was to protect the heritage they had left, and luckily after twenty-five years I still had the original manuscript on a flash drive that was compatible with my computer. That meant I wouldn't have to start from scratch again since I have never learned how to type the right way.
I spent the entire day copying and pasting over 300 pages into a book template so I could do the necessary revisions, editing and formatting for printing. The more I read, worked and thought, the more love I felt for persons I had not seen for decades, and with each story I could feel a part of them reaching out me. I could feel their love, confusion, pain, uncertainty, creativity, longings and hope descend into my inner most core. Their lives had not been easy, especially that of my uncle who dealt with chronic mental health issues that were kept hidden as much as humanly possible during the time he lived. I found myself both crying and laughing as my understanding increased.
What a marvelous gift I had been given, and because of God's prompting, I have now published their stories for everyone who is interested in mystery, science fiction, humor, family life in the past or a good cry to read in an anthology on Amazon titled To Laugh, Cry and be Surprised. I am now working on her final manuscript, a rough draft of a mystery for teenagers. It's interesting to revisit life in the 1950s and reflect on how much life has changed. While I am grateful for air-conditioning, microwave ovens, and a way to communicate almost always within reach, I miss the days when ice cream was churned by hand, neighbors visited over the fence and correct history was taught in schools.
But since a return to less suffocating, confusing and simpler days is impossible, I cling to the hope my ancestors had. They wanted a better place for their posterity, just as I do for mine, and were willing to sacrifice everything they possessed to insure it.
As we prepare to celebrate this milestone in our country's history on Saturday, may we remember all the lives and livelihoods that were lost by those who founded this great nation and those who have protected it during the ensuing years. But mostly may we consult our hearts as to what we are willing to do to preserve the freedoms we still enjoy for those yet to come. May we plant our flags proudly in front of our homes, sing patriotic songs and let others know that we have not been conquered by those whose only desire is to cause devision, fear, hatred and destroy the very fabric of our beautiful country. May we stand with other patriots who feel as we do and not let anything stop us from proclaiming our love for the country God so graciously gave us to uphold, build and protect. Ours truly is a destiny too magnificent to be lost by indifference, prejudice or fear.
