Happy Independence Day! Growing up means few things are as simple as they used to be, and the celebration of our country's independence is a big example of that for me. With Rowan on the way, I think about how Tom and I will get to explain complicated things in life to a child. Tom will be especially good at it. If I had to tell a child what the 4th of July holiday is about, and why we have fireworks, what would I say? I think it's an interesting test of our fundamental beliefs to formulate such an answer.
Tom and I have friends from many different countries, and from many different cultures within our own country. It's usually wonderfully fun and eye-opening to discuss even mundane things with these diverse friends. One of the most thought-provoking discussions I've had with someone from a different culture was with Merlin, one of our friends from Tom's work. At first glance, he's from exactly the same culture as myself: he's an American from the deep South. But more specifically, he's from Louisiana -- maybe New Orleans proper, but I don't quite remember. And his wife is British. Somehow we started talking about the Olympics, and in the course of discussion Merlin pointed out that many people in the US root wholeheartedly and exclusively for Olympic athletes from the US. I thought: do I, almost without exception, hope to see the US flag raised in the highest position during those three-flag medal ceremonies? You bet I do. Doesn't every American, I would have thought? Nope, and I'm beginning to understand a little bit about why.
There's a Jason Upton song called "Road to Emmaus":
(verse 1)
Have you ever said goodbye to a hero?
Have you ever had to lay away your dreams?
Have you ever been so lonely that a stranger is your best friend?
Then you’ll know what I mean.(chorus)
This is our Highway to Heaven
Our American dream
The two fools on the road to Emmaus,
well they might as well be you and me.(verse 2)
Have you ever been angry at your country?
Have you ever been angry at your God?
Have you ever been so angry that you can’t see what you’ve got
Right in front of you?