Happy 250th Birthday America! While this is a mere pittance for many of you in other nations, its a hard for me to grasp. My mind immediately goes back to 1976, when we celebrated America's 200th birthday- I was only 17 years old. I remember how exciting it all felt. It seemed like the whole country was celebrating together. Looking back, I know we had plenty of problems then too, but I don't remember feeling like we wouldn't get through them. There just seemed to be a sense of optimism that tomorrow would be better than today. Maybe that's because I was only 17. Or maybe our country really did have a different spirit. I honestly don't know. As I look back over these past fifty years, I'm struck by how much has changed—not just in our nation, but in my own life. God has blessed me far more than I ever could have imagined. I met the love of my life, and this year we celebrate 40 years of marriage. Together we've been blessed with four amazing children. We've watched each of them begin families of their own, and now we have seven beautiful grandchildren. That's fourteen people who weren't even part of my life in 1976, but today I can't imagine life without them. And there have been losses too. My parents are gone. We've lost family members, dear friends, and last year my sister-in-law, Maryellen, whose death still leaves an empty place in our hearts. Surviving the accident that took her life reminded me in a way I never expected that life on this earth is fragile. None of us knows how much time we have. Yet my faith also reminds me that this life is not the end of the story. Because of Christ, death does not have the final word. There is the promise of eternity with Him. When I look at our country today, I have to admit I don't feel the same excitement I felt in 1976. Our nation seems fractured and we seem quicker to judge than to listen. Sometimes it feels like we've lost hope in one another and in the promise of America. But maybe that's exactly why this anniversary is so important. It gives us a chance to remember the courage and sacrifice of those who pledged "their Lives, their Fortunes and their sacred Honor" for an idea that had never really been tried before. Our freedom came at a tremendous cost with our Founding Fathers expressing "a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence." As I celebrate this Fourth of July, I'm grateful for the freedoms we've been given and for the many who sacrificed, including my mom and dad to preserve them. But above all, as Ive grown and changed in these past 50 years I am grateful to God more than anything. It is God from whom all our blessings flow! So my hope is not because of any politician or leader believing someone has the answers to happiness. It is in a God who loves all of us and in Him and Through Him are the answers. The same God who has been faithful throughout my life is still faithful today. And because of that, I still have hope. I pray today that America and it's people can renew what began 250 years ago. And to remember with humility, gratitude, and sacrifice, that we are ultimately dependent on God both as a nation and individuals. Happy 250th Birthday, America! May God continue to bless and guide us to become a people worthy of the freedoms we've been given.
A wonderful reflection! My Dad never got to hold our firstborn, Benjamin, but he always taught us the importance of patriotism. On the national holidays we would gather as a family and say the Pledge of Allegiance together as we hung out the flag.
250 years ago my ancestors fought for our new country, the United States of America. It is very humbling to have such noble ancestors. Honoring those in my family tree who were so valiant : Daniel Buck, Massachusettes Sgt . Deacon John Hanks, Sgt. Connecticut Minuteman Elijah Hanks, Connecticut line Uriah Hanks, made gunlocks Col. Benjamin Hanks, drummer Zacharia Sutton, battles of Hackensack, Wilmington, Chemung Pvt. Moses York, First Regiment enlisted men N.Y. One of my Parish Priests from Columbia told me when he comes to the United States he kisses the ground. He told me in his country they don’t discuss freedom, although they like it. But in our country the people live for freedom. He notices a huge difference in attitude. Perhaps because the remnants here were the persecuted of other countries…we demand freedom. God gave us this beautiful land for the people. I pray we can keep it as long as our rights are not infringed. But we are a work in progress, to make a more perfect union. I am Blessed to live here with the Freedom to worship, and I thank my ancestors for this legacy.
You are blessed to know your ancstorsby name. I know both. sides of my family fought in the Revolution but no actual first names. On my mother's paternal side they were Tories. So the rumor goes.
Happy birthday America! When I think of my country I think of the incredible veterans who have fought for our freedoms! My own brothers, dad, grandpops. May God lead us back to Him.
I would suspect that each MOG member, no matter his or her national identity, has pride in their country; can look back to a noble or perhaps more noble history. Thus the reason for honoring our ethnic Christian roots as well. But history implies a beginning and end. Such is why our ultimate joy and future glory must be anticipated in how we live today. Holiness built upon the foundation of undeserved grace...a forever Kingdom where the King and Queen Mother are seated on thrones, and where the Holy Trinity alone is worshiped! Doxology at every Holy Mass: Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.
I have many fond memories of the great bicentennial in 1976, the year when my husband and I were married. Our country is far from perfect, but the American spirit still thrives in the hearts of those who have a great love for our nation. I truly believe no matter how troubled our waters may become, we will always be "one nation under God". Through thick and thin we shall persevere under the protection of Our Holy Mother, and that is something to be celebrated. A blessed and hopeful 250th to all Americans, and to those who love us.
I am related to Abe Lincoln through his mother Nancy Hanks. She was my ggg grandfathers first cousin. I will post a picture of him he looks just like Abe Lincoln.
