Happy 4th of July! Celebrate :)

Happy 4th of July! This and Thanksgiving are the two holidays I enjoy celebrating most!

My husband's co-worker sent this to the whole company today.... the link is to a book, "The Letters of John and Abigail Adams":

Excerpt from a letter from John Adams to his wife Abigail Adams:

But the day is past. The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. --I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time Forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. --I am we aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. --Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will Triumph in the Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

John Adams

I've long understood that John & Abigail Adams are my ancestors & hope to trace the lineage sometime. After watching the powerful (inspirational!) John Adams miniseries together, my husband seems convinced that I am :) ...as it would explain much about why I am the way I am - & do what I do. If indeed, "it runs in the family", it seems I "inherited" the Adam's passion for truth & freedom. - And, tho' I don't speak/debate as eloquently "off the cuff" as John Adams did, given enough time, I'm usually able to wrap (written) words around my convictions as John & Abigail so often did in letters - to effectively communicate/explain the "why" behind "what" I believe.

It seems the Adam's willingness to sacrifice so much personal life, liberty & pursuit of happiness (*humility!) - in order to "practice what he preached" & serve their country toward that end, - is something to be attained (rather than inherited) by personally trusting God...& in His providence & sovereignty (which I do.) - and that in the Adam's Christ-like humility/sacrifice, their passion was converted to com-passion. While they weren't perfect, I believe it was this "trait" that allowed John & Abigail Adams to lead so effectively& leave such a lasting legacy of freedom built upon the solid foundation of Truth....and I find myself hoping that what I've been told about being related to them is indeed true...because it would be an honor.

Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide. - John Adams

*humility - to see oneself as a servant - without regard for one's perceived "worth" or lack of it.... and to act accordingly