Since the 4th of July falls on a Sunday this year, many Utah celebrations happened yesterday on the 3rd. I’m flexible about such things, but in my deep heart, I would much rather honor bigly, date-specific holidays on their actual dates. But like I said, I’m ultimately easily bendy about the whole scheduling of official holiday observances—which is a good thing, because nobody listens to me about it anyway.
We, here at TIE O’ THE DAY, are blessed and proud to add our voices to the Birthday Greetings heard around the world, in honor of our country’s existential and political independence. I am humbled on this day, every year. I am humbled because I know my citizenship here is a matter of nothing more than luck. I did absolutely nothing to earn the rights and responsibilities that belong to me as an American citizen: I merely happened to be born on this soil—into freedom and safety. I see it as one of my life’s jobs to add positive pieces to the America which I inherited simply by being born in it one day in 1964. I want to improve it, to nurture its ideals. My little contribution is so small. So is yours, probably. But added together, our little works can make ringing and lasting statements—giving lifeblood to an ever-living, ever-changing home called the USA. Like my Delta Elementary School librarian, Mrs. Crafts, always said as she greeted our classes in the hall before we could enter the library, “Leave this place better than you found it.” Today—while considering my love for my country—I wholeheartedly second that admonition.
