By Gina Caswell Kelly
As we approach Independence Day, I always think of my daddy. He was such a great patriot. Someone who loved this country with all his heart. He was so proud of his military service and his time in the war. I have a hard time imagining my daddy at war. He was such a peaceful and gentle man. But he gladly went and served his country, even though he was newly married and still just a kid.
I remember my mom talking about watching the train leave the station, taking him away from her. Back then, you didn’t just hear from those soldiers every day. It was true snail mail! You might not get a letter for months and then you might get several all at one time. But every time we would hear a train whistle, my mom would remember that eerie sound as it took the love of her life further and further away from her. Oh I can’t imagine how that young bride felt watching him go and having no way of knowing if he would return, or when.
I bring all this up to say this; Love your country. Love it with all your heart. No, I know things are not perfect. It seems everyday we are more and more divided as a nation. Each side believing they are right. But hear me now and hear me well – this nation is worth loving and very worth defending.
In my daddy’s writings, I found a quote that I google searched and could not find it anywhere, so I am assuming it started with him. In this quote, he said, “We cannot expect to continue to sit under the shade of the Tree of Liberty if we don’t spend anytime taking care of the Tree of Liberty.” Wow! I hope that hits you like it does me. It gives me chills even now as I type it.
He was not wrong. We have to treasure our liberty. We have to treasure our freedoms. We have to treasure our lives and our great blessing of getting to live in this great country. No, things are not perfect. There are weeds that have grown up under the Tree of Liberty. There are some branches that need pruning. It definitely needs water, but I am telling you that Tree of Liberty is still strong. Tended properly, it will last for much longer.
As we look at 250 years of this great nation, please take time to bow your head and thank God for the blessings of freedom and life in this country. Tend the Tree of Liberty, and thank God everyday as you sit in the shade. It will make a difference!
