On this day, 244 years ago, the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed by 56 men after much discussion, writing, revising and careful consideration.  Our country was founded on the word of the God. What a wonderful day in our history it was! James Madison wrote to his wife Dolly to tell her it would be the most important day in the history of the United States of American and it would and should be celebrated with great fanfare of fireworks, parades, picnics and music for now and evermore. 

Here we are nearly two and one half centuries later and those predictions have held true. We still celebrate with those things even though it is a “bit” different than it was all those many years ago. The sentiment is still there and people continue to celebrate our independence and formation of our special nation which allows us freedom to speak, live and worship freely.  Part of that fundamental belief was all men are created equal and should have those rights.

As I was writing this, I was reminded of the old adage, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”  There are so many parallels for then, the intermittent years and now.  Brave men and women sacrificed so much by their dedication to a cause they believed to be just and true as men and women still do today.  They made the sacrifice of leaving their families for long periods of time to fight in a war as have so many since then to ensure those original ideals stayed strong.  Many gave their lives 244 years ago and have continued to do so through the years so we can continue to live free.  Individuals have been maimed physically and emotionally for the same reasons as our forefathers.  Families still suffer today as they did all those many years ago for the foundational beliefs on which the United States of America was founded.  We are still in the battleground fighting for equal rights for everyone as we have been for 244 years.

In spite of all that is happening in our world and how divided our nation appears to be in these trying times, we can still pull together and celebrate this day that allows us the right to express ourselves freely, have our own opinions and worship as we want.  This country is still and will continue to be the greatest nation in the world as long as we put our trust in God and follow his word as our founding fathers did so long ago.  We are so blessed to live here, even if it may not seem that way right now, but I challenge you to find a place that is superior to the land of the free and home of the brave.  God blessed America and he continues to do so. Amen

Patty