BURSTING WITH PRIDE
Moving here has been great so far!! I have made some really good friends, found some fun places to visit, and discovered some surprises. In fact, yesterday was the Fourth of July and last night was a great surprise! Want me to tell you about it?
Well, about a week ago, Mommy and Daddy were unpacking the last of the boxes from our move when they found a phone number belonging to a friend of theirs. They moved away a year before us, and Daddy noticed that now they only live a few hours from us. So Mommy called, and after talking for a while we were invited to their house for a picnic.
It was a long drive but fun! We sang silly songs and I read my favorite book. One thing we noticed along the way was a scenic overlook (a place right off of the highway with a small area where you can look out and see things very far away). It looked neat, but all Daddy said was, “Maybe some other time.” Oh well!
Once we were at the picnic, we had so much fun! It was nice being back around people we already knew! They didn’t have any kids there my age but that didn’t matter. They made me feel really good about being someplace new and different. They even had some things that I hadn’t seen since we left our old house. Things like snacks that you can’t find anywhere else but there. And their burgers, with the extra onions and flavorings, reminded me of past summers. Daddy had to keep reminding me to be careful and not make myself sick!!
Later on, even with as much fun as we were having, we had to leave. They all understood, though, since it was getting late and Mommy had to get home for some sleep before her duty day. But everyone promised to call soon and get together again. And although I was sad about missing out on fireworks, I’d had a great day!!
The ride home was rather quiet because we were so tired. Yet, as we got near the scenic overlook, we noticed something flashing in the sky. Could it be?! Daddy pulled into the parking lot just as another burst went off. We saw the FIREWORKS! I wasn’t missing them after all!! As Daddy and I got out to watch, Mommy found a radio station playing some patriotic music to match the bursts and booms. Daddy even surprised us with sparklers that he had hidden in the trunk. It was wonderful!
While we were watching and listening, I looked over at Mommy and Daddy. Even though they were smiling and singing “God Bless the USA,” I couldn’t understand why they were crying. When I asked about it, they said they were happy tears because of their pride in our country. “What’s pride?” I asked. They told me, “It is the happiness we have for what we do, for us being a military family and for just being able to live where we live and do what we want to do. It’s a love for the U.S.A.” It was then, during the end of that song, that I also realized I had that same feeling; that pride.
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I know I am still little and I haven’t been to as many places as Mommy, but I am proud of her for what she does for us and our country. Because of last night, and seeing how happy Mommy and Daddy were, I too am bursting with pride.
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The title of the song “God Bless the USA” was used with express permission from Lee Greenwood.
Have a great Independence Day everyone!!
