Independence Day (...or Happy 4th of July)

We spent most of our day driving to our vacation destination in Interlochen Michigan. Our final destination was the State park/campground there.

Upon getting to the park, we found out that our campsite could be moved through the kindness of our hosts, (Michigan DNR,) we could get a campsite that didn't require hopscotching from site to site with our trailer for the long weekend. What we forgot to ask, is how easy is it to get a 30 ft trailer into the new location we'd been moved to. After an hour of backing and jacking the camper around without success, one of our neighbors took pity on our amateur plight and kindly helped us out with great instructions for getting that puppy in it's slot.

We then took the general tour of the campground on the beautiful lake it was sitting on, finding the campstore, dumpsters, bathrooms etc.

After a quick dinner we packed everyone up and headed out to Frankfort to enjoy the fireworks on Lake Michigan. It was an awesome display that was even being took in without fear by our 1 year old Kara. I was holding her in my lap on the grass and for almost every burst of color there came from her a jabber and pointing or smiling at the glow in front of her eyes. The artistic display of fireworks ended to lots of cheering and tons of people pouring off the beaches. Driving back to the campground almost brought an end to a very long day. Instead of taking the direct route, we decided a little adventure was in order and took the scenic, middle of the night tour of Bear Creek Village. Although it was a little circuitous our road found it's way home to the campground.

With all of the nights events coming to a close, my thoughts drift off to the meaning of Independence Day. I think of my father, as a Vietnam Veteran, my wife's cousin who was in the Airborne, my brother-in-law who was in the Marines and many more. There are just so many who put their lives on the line between us and those who would take our freedom and even the freedom of many others that many of us will never meet in person.

I hope and am trying to make sure that my life and the life of my family is an example of gratitude for this gift of freedom, that has been passed down to all of us in this nation from generation to generation. It really is something to think of that such rich opportunities are in our hands.

So, a simple thank you is what is coarsing through my heart and mind. Because there are almost no words that can express what I think and feel, they all seem inefficient when I see the great price that has been paid and the great heritage that has been given to millions throughout the years.

Without taking any longer to say what many people are thinking along with me. Thank you, fallen hero's, thank you veteran's, thank you active military, whether you be Army, Navy or Air Force. Thank you forefathers who prepared and defended an ideal of freedom that so many years later we still have. Thank you Mr President and office of the President. Thank you Congress and Senate men and women in service everywheren, policemen, sheriff, fireman, doctor, nurse , paramedic, and thank you God, for this gift.

It may seem small, or inefficient, but as I sit her with the forests of North-Western Michigan and hear the crackling fires and people laughing and chatting at different camps, I can only think, Thank you and Happy Fourth of July!