Because Doug and I are such history geeks we actually read parts of the Declaration of Independence to the girls as we drove out to Grandma’s house for our family’s cookout.

Of course everyone knows this part, probably some of the most well-known words in United States history:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

But how many have read further, just a few lines, and know the next bit:

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Because we spent so much time in Boston and we visited homes, graves and meeting places of our Founding Fathers this Fourth of July carried deeper understanding for us, I think.

Of course once we arrived at Grandma’s the history lesson was over and the fun began!  Unfortunately it was cool and cloudy all day.  Part of the afternoon was spent cuddled on the couch under blankets.

Later in the afternoon sparklers were opened- and disappeared much too fast!  It was the first year the girls had any interest in playing with them.  Brenna thought they were great fun; Caelan wasn’t so sure.

After a late afternoon nap (for all of us, every bed at Grandma’s house was full, as were couches and comfy chairs) we had a dinner of leftovers from our cookout as we headed to a neighboring small town for fireworks.  It was still quite chilly so the girls would snuggle withGrandma and Grandpa for a few minutes before declaring themselves warm enough to run around and play with other kids.

Finally it was time for fireworks!  “..the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air..”  For a small town display it was really quite good. They even had one that, when it exploded, it made a smiley face!  That was Brenna’s favorite.

As we drove home we saw more fireworks in small towns along the interstate.  Small celebrations of our freedom.

From the pen of Thomas Jefferson, signer of the Declaration of Independence and 3rd President of the United States:

“My God! how little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!”

“We have spent the prime of our lives in procuring [for the youth of America] the blessing of liberty. Let them spend their lives in showing that it [freedom] is the great parent of science and of virtue; and that a nation will be great in both, always in proportion as it is free.”

“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free… it expects what never was and never will be.”

“When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”

“God who gave us life, gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever….”

“The reason that Christianity is the best friend of Government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart.”