The Fourth of July is a time for fun and reflection

FREEDOM’S SOURCE

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of

the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of

speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the

freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a

fair trial.

It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag

and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to

burn the flag.

Were it not for the brave, there would be no land of the free.”

-- AUTHOR UNKNOWN

This week’s column comes out the weekend before the Fourth of

July. This year, the Fourth happens to be on a Friday, which means

that many people will happily enjoy a three-day weekend. May it will

be a wonderful time to enjoy family, friends, fun, food, festivities

and in some places, fireworks. May it will also be safe and sane and

a reminder to thank God and all those who have sacrificed to bring

and ensure freedom in our country.

We also need to remember those who are presently sacrificing in

many ways to preserve our freedom, as well as to help those innocent

ones who are caught in the middle of battles on foreign soil.

My family and friends and I have had many wonderful and diverse

Fourth of July celebrations. Some years, we’ve stayed at home, and

some years, we’ve traveled. We’ve been part of or watched parades,

gone on bike trips, as well as hiked, boated, played and enjoyed

different beaches.

Before our meals, we say grace, thanking God for the day, the

food, the ability to enjoy it all and for what He has done for us.

We’ve dined on barbecues, corn on the cob and watermelon, and

sometimes freeze-dried camping foods.

Many of our Fourth of July experiences have also included

sunburns, chicken pox, bug bites and swollen eyes, but those

eventually cleared up or went away. Many of those more trying

experiences have also built character into all of us. They have

instilled memories we will never forget. Some of the adventures have

appeared in past columns, and I’m sure more will appear in the

future.

A friend recalled some of her unplanned disasters, but then she

smiled and laughed.

“I told God I thought I had enough character already, but he

seemed to see things a different way,” she said. “After all, he is

God, and I am not, so here I am, a character in the making.” I guess

we are all characters with character building ahead of us.

We are very fortunate to have great men and women of deep

character who fought for our country in the past, and those who are

doing so today. Whatever our duty or call, let us all be men and

women of godly character, committed to and willing to sacrifice to

ensure the freedoms we are so blessed with today.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.