4th of July, 2008, a Friday

Independence Day is usually thought of in a national way and celebrated with Old Glory, fireworks, baseball, apple pie and parades.  And don't get me wrong, I'm all for it.  I support all of those American things wholeheartedly, especially when we have troops in combat.  I have two flags out, one flying in the front yard, courtesy of the local Boy Scout troop (how American is that?) and one flying out on the balcony over the lake for all to see.  But today I am also thinking of people who are struggling for independence in a much smaller way.

There is the stripper who is working her way through college knowing she couldn't possibly make that much money doing anything else.  The hours are great and the money mostly tax free.  Every night she gives away a little too much of herself, maybe even her soul, but she knows that one day she will be free.  (Who could forget Sam Seaborne's call girl law school student girlfriend in West Wing?  She's probably practicing in some high price law firm right now instead of a high price escort firm.)

There are the children trapped in abusive homes, enduring pain and suffering, until they are either found and saved or old enough to get away on their own.  A long road to independence.

There are the people who live in countries who are not free and must abide by the selfish power of ruthless dictators.  Their road to freedom is a lot less certain.  Probably just a dream, but no one can take that away.

For millions of people, many of them kids, freedom may mean just knowing there will be enough to eat every day.  Feed the Children and other such organizations work hard to make this happen but it is never enough.  A little giving on Independence Day may help buy a small piece of freedom from hunger for someone around the world.

There are adults who are struggling with the result of abusive upbringings.  Even though they may physically be on their own and no longer subject to cruelty every day, the scars are deep and hard to heal.  Freedom can be the result of the very hard work that must be done to reclaim the heart and mind.  Compassion and unconditional love are the tools of this kind of work.

There are people living with illness and disability that will never be fully independent but that doesn't necessarily have to stop them from being free. 

Have you been watching the silly summer tv show called Swingtown (hey, there is nothing else on this time of year so don't worry about it!)?  It takes place in the 70's in some neighborhood like I've never heard of but, oh well.  A couple moves into a more upscale home not far from their old home where they had been plenty happy playing bridge, bowling and barbecuing with their best friends across the street.  The new across the street neighbors, a commercial pilot and his former stewardess wife, are swingers, don't you know.  They carefully plan to invite the new couple into their world of sexual freedom.  It works and even the old prudish neighbors get into the act when they all skinny dip up at the lake together after eating marijuana laced brownies.  But this change, this new "freedom", comes with a price.  The men love the sexual freedom at first, but then begin to feel threatened as their wives embrace this independence in a new way.  Dinner is no longer ready on time and she seems to be forgetting to pick him up at the station after work because she is reading material on how the government has unlawfully arrested the star of Deep Throat.  Of course, the neighbors are throwing a fund raiser for his defense and the wife wants to go alone on the husband's bowling night (after she sneaks in to see Deep Throat in the afternoon to see for herself what it's all about) and he forbids her to but she goes anyway.  Then there is that familiar chorus of Helen Reddy's "I am Woman" symbolizing the ongoing struggle for female independence.  I am sure just as they begin to work it out, the series will be cancelled and we will never find out what happens when swingers get old. 

My point is that independence is not just about a country who fought to be free hundreds of years ago.  For all of you who are personally independent and living truly free, today you should acknowledge that accomplishment.  If you are not yet there, but hope to be someday, this day is especially for you.  But don't forget to participate in something truly American today.  Go to a ballgame, a picnic, eat watermelon, barbecue some chicken, watch the fireworks and wave the flag.  This country has a lot to be proud of.  And a long way to go.

GR