Saturday, July 4, 2015

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO ALL OF YOU!!!

It is a day for celebration
for most of us.
We wave our flags 
and grill our burgers 
and wolf down our hot dogs.

We stand in line for dripping
ice cream cones
and we stare at the sky
in awe as fireworks 
feed us a feast for our eyes.

We are free.
What a blessing to be free.
But that freedom comes at a cost.
A big cost.

I see it every day I work at the VA.
I see the sacrifices made by men and women
to ensure our freedom.
So, take just a moment today
and whisper a 
THANK YOU
to all those that fought for us
on this, and foreign, land.
Wing a prayer up 
for those families left behind 
when their sons and daughters
gave their lives for all of us.

I will leave you with one of my 
very favorite photos.
This was taken on our dock
about 4 years ago when the 
fireworks were
bursting in the air over the bay.
THAT is 
WONDER & AWE!

My family is here for a few days
so I will be back on Tuesday 
as full of the devil nonsense as usual.

Have a Happy & Blessed 
FOURTH OF JULY!
your photo name

52 comments:

Susie said...

Diana, Wishing you and all your loved one a happy 4th of July. Hope it's fun and safe. We are all blessed, xoxo,Susie

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

a great remember of what the cost of freedom is. Happy 4th.

Sylvia said...

Yes, thankful for the men and women that fought and died for our great Country so we can be free!
Have a safe 4th !

Adam said...

Have a good one

Kim said...

Happy 4th, Diana. Enjoy the family time.

Anonymous said...

have the best 4th of July!!!

camp and cottage living said...

Diana
Thanks for the reminder to think on what this day is all about!
Have a great day.

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

thank you for the reminder!!!!!!!

Happy a Happy and Safe 4th of July,
Tessa

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Happy Independence Day! Have a wonderful and fun weekend with your family!

Linda said...

Happy 4th to you! I hope we get to see some pics of the grands in the days to come. My son in law works at the VA home in King.

Kathy said...

Wishing you a safe and happy 4th!

LV said...

Enjoy family and a hot dog for me. Staying home and having watermelon.

Junkchiccottage said...

Wishing you sweet friend the best 4th. Enjoy the family and all the fun this week end brings. Happy 4th.
Kris

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Diana you voiced the true cost of freedom very well, thank you for that. Enjoy your family get together.

Anonymous said...

Happy 4th to you and your family Diana....neat that you can see the fireworks from where you are. And yes, remember all those men and women that went before us and the price they paid to help keep us FREE!!!
Louise

Simply LKJ said...

Happy 4th Diana! Yes, it truly is about those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

Gert said...

Diana, very well said! Happy Fourth, enjoy your family! My prayers have been lifted up for all those (and their families) who have been there and who have fought to keep America free.

Blessings,
Gert

20 North Ora said...

Great post Diana! Happy 4th to you and your family!

Judy

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Beautiful post Diana. Enjoy the time with your family and have a the best time ever.
Hugs to you dear sweet friend.
Mary

Sarah said...

Happy 4th to you, Diana. Enjoy this special holiday with your darling family. Love the wonder and awe shot. '-)

Maureen Wyatt said...

Beautiful flag photo and beautiful thought to hold in our hearts. May we all keep that sense of wonder.

Pam Kessler said...

Happy 4th! Wishing a beautiful weekend!

Nonnie said...

Happy 4th to you, Diana. Yes, I say thank you to all our service men and women who have given so much so we can enjoy our celebrations and food and fireworks! Sweet Cheeks face dies say it all! Love your flag!

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home said...

Happy 4th to you and your sweet family....hugs...

living from glory to glory said...

Hello, Please tell those guys you see every week I said a BIG Thank-You!
Enjoy your family and thanks for being a fun girl ;o)
Happy 4th of July
Hugs, Roxy

Kathy said...

Happy Fourth of July! Thanks for helping in the VA. My husband spends a lot of time at the VA Hospital and we appreciate every volunteer and staff there. Hoope you have a great day and love that picture!

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Happy 4th of July,
Kelley~

Ron said...

Happy 4th to you and yours!!!!!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Happy 4th, Diana, to you and your family! I feel so much gratitude to our soldiers and veterans. You are an angel for helping at the VA. xo Karen

Gayla said...

Enjoy your wonderful family, Diana. I know you will. Happy Fourth. I enjoyed the poem.

Chatty Crone said...

Just stopping by to say Happy 4th of July!

This N That said...

Happy 4th..Enjoy your family..

cynthia lee designs said...

Happy 4th of July!! We were with family today and our town has fireworks tomorrow night. Saying a prayer for all of our soldiers and veterans.
hugs,
Cindy

Stephanie said...

Thank you for this wonderful post, my friend! I hope you had a lovely 4th of July and may you enjoy your time with family. Hugs!

Ricki Treleaven said...

Have a blessed Independence Day. Enjoy your family!

xo,
RJ

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Happy 4th to you too Diana!

Rondell♥

Anonymous said...

Happy Fourth of July, Diana! Amen to this post! Freedom truly isn't free- thank you for this reminder to give thanks to God that so many have sacrificed that we may enjoy celebrating this special day! Love and hugs to those precious grands!

Debbie said...

Great post, Diana! very honest, and straight forward...as it should be on this holiday weekend.
Your images are awesome!!
Enjoy your lovely family, sweet friend.
Debbie
xo

Kelly said...

I'm sure you ARE reminded of the cost of our freedom when you work at the VA! Now, if the government would just let us continue to have freedom of speech we would be ok! That is slowly eroding with everything needing to be so politically correct. With all of the changes happening right now with our laws and deviating from our constitution, I've been feeling less than patriotic lately. I didn't even decorate for the 4th this year.

Diana LaMarre said...

Happy 4th, Diana! We stayed home all day and did a bit of garden work. Today we are going to a July 4 (5th) celebration at my BIL's home. I did not know that you work at the VA. We are VFW members and never take our freedom for granted (hubby is a Vietnam veteran).
Hope you had a great weekend with your family!

Candy S said...

Well said Diana, Happy Fourth of July! I hope that no one in this country ever forgets the sacrifices that our brave military forces have made for us. God bless our veterans and God bless the USA!

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

Working at the VA will surely remind you of the cost of our freedom, I'm sure. God bless the USA! Hope you had a wonderful time with your family this weekend. I ate way too many red, white, and blue Popsicles. :)

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

AWESOME pics - hope your whole weekend has been wonderful.

My memories of fireworks was always on the water..............love that image with the flag on the boat, makes my heart go pitty pat just a little bit faster. Hugs. ♥

Kim said...

Blessings to you, dear Diana! I love that pic of your grandgirl, and thanks for the reminder that touches so close to home for you that we have a lot of dear people who deserve our thanks! Thank them for me when you're there next time, okay? Tell them how much we appreciate them!

Anne's Attic - Design said...

I thank my lucky stars very day for my freedom. My oldest son is in the military and I miss him tons but I know what he does is so important. I prayer for his safety many times a day. Loved your post. Sincerely Jo

Julie's Lifestyle said...

I hope you had a lovrely 4th of July Diana! Have a nice day!

Rue said...

Well said.

That little girl is adorable. If only adults could still feel that way looking at fireworks.

I hope your holiday was perfect :)

xo,
rue

Carla from The River said...

Happy 4th to you and your family.

We enjoyed a great weekend in Northern Wisconsin with my parents. It was perfect weather.
I love your photo of the flag!
Carla

Anonymous said...

So true, Diana! God bless you for working with our vets! Love the fireworks face! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia;)

Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap said...

a great reminder. Freedom is not free

vivian said...

I am forever thankful to our vets and for being blessed to live in this country. enjoy your family!
xoxo
vivian

Bethany Carson said...

Beautiful post/tribute Diana! Love the photo. Glad you had a good time with your family. We went to Iowa Falls to see the fireworks over the Iowa River up close from the park...first time we'd watched up close and it was awesome!