Happy Independence Day!!

Post by **deer of the dawn** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 11:54 pm

I arrived in America only 2 days ago after 3 years in Africa. Yesterday morning, feeling refreshed from jet lag, I took a walk around the block. You have to understand that where I live, as soon as I step outside my bedroom I am a spectacle (being white). And everywhere you go there are concrete walls topped with razor wire or broken glass. So to stroll along quiet streets-- I wanted to run and skip and cartwheel across the open lawns and the sweet green grass. I stopped to look at a flower garden in one front yard and literally burst into tears at its beauty. I was even rejoiced to see a police car pull over a car for speeding, knowing that the police here are my friends, not my enemies. God bless America!!! It is so great to be here! Happy July 4!!!

Post by **stonemaybe** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:20 am

deer of the dawn wrote:I arrived in America only 2 days ago after 3 years in Africa. Yesterday morning, feeling refreshed from jet lag, I took a walk around the block. You have to understand that where I live, as soon as I step outside my bedroom I am a spectacle (being white). And everywhere you go there are concrete walls topped with razor wire or broken glass. So to stroll along quiet streets-- I wanted to run and skip and cartwheel across the open lawns and the sweet green grass. I stopped to look at a flower garden in one front yard and literally burst into tears at its beauty. I was even rejoiced to see a police car pull over a car for speeding, knowing that the police here are my friends, not my enemies. God bless America!!! It is so great to be here! Happy July 4!!!

To use an English phrase that I hate, but in it's genuine meaning instead of its usual pitying one, 'aw, bless!'

What a wonderfully apt quote today! You've improved my view of America immensely, dotd, and I hope you have a wonderful break, or if you're back for good, that everything works out perfectly for you...!

Post by **Fire Daughter** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 1:13 am

God Bless the USA--Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone
I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again
with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars
to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
and they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota
to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas
from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston
and New York to L.A.,
There's pride in every American heart
and it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love
God Bless the USA!

HAPPY 4TH EVERYONE!!!

Post by **Orlion** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:43 am

Thanks, DotD! It seems very apt that you have returned a couple days before Independence Day! Here's to you enjoying many more

Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:57 am

I am so pleased for you DotD!!Happy 4th to you and yours. And to actually be able to stop and see the flowers, or the grass,just to have the time to do so is excellent. Ya know what , I think I m gonna go outside and just look at the stars for a few minutes and count my blessings. Thanks for the inspiration.............................H

Post by **Worm of Despite** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 6:42 am

This is definitely the best country in the world, and I've seen a few, and I expect it will continue to be for the next century or more (even if China eventually supplants us in GDP, I think our freedom and living standards will continue to be, well, the standard--"Asian Century" or not). In the 90s our culture was much more pervasive, and there were more "oh wows" when you went to a foreign country and paid for things with dollar bills, but we're still the greatest by a long shot. We're also a global community now, for better or worse.

Post by **aliantha** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 5:31 pm

Glad you're home safe, DotD.

Post by **AjK** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:52 pm

Welcome back, DotD! Glad your travels were safe.

Post by **CovenantJr** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:58 pm

We didn't want you lot anyway.

Post by **Wosbald** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 7:24 pm

+JMJ+

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 12:56 am

Wow. 14 years between posts.

Post by **Savor Dam** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 4:36 am

A worthy bump.

Deer and her stag continue to spend their years serving (as educators and witnesses) in Africa and coming back onshore most summers.

When this thread took place, FireDaughter's mom, Furls, was still with us.
One wonders across in the subsequent years, how FireDaughter's twins have grown to near-adolescence.

So many of the posters on this thread are missed...and we are grateful for those still active Watchers.

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch