The 4th of July can be an emotional time for me, as well as seeing the flag and saying the pledge of allegiance.  I home schooled my children for a time when they were little, and I taught them about health and some of the history of this nation.

However, instead of doing a bunch of boring general facts, I read them stories of patriots who sacrificed for the freedoms that we enjoy. I am inspired by and appreciate all of the miracles that came about for freedom to win. I appreciate the lives of great patriots and veterans that were sacrificed.

Freedom isn't Free. You've got to pay the price, you've got to sacrifice for your liberty.

It’s hard to not cry whenever I say the pledge of allegiance. It’s also hard to not cry when I know of families that have a father, mother, brother or sister leaving to serve our country and other countries that want freedom also. I know that their loved ones are risking their lives, and these families may lose their family members. I also know there is a sacrifice involved to be apart.

In America, we enjoy the freedom to choose our life’s direction, whatever religion we want to believe, and the pursuit of health and happiness. We can also enjoy protection in order to have peace in our lives, communities, and nation. There is always strife and turmoil going on, but it is a blessing that good people can enjoy basic freedoms as part of being responsible.

I appreciate my freedom a lot. I appreciate the sacrifices that have been made for me. I appreciate the inspiring patriots of the past, present and future who fight for these important rights given to me from my creator.

Now, my son has decided to join the Army National Guard and is going away for a year to serve in the cause of freedom. I didn’t know that I would be in one of the families that would sacrifice with a family member gone. So, now, the flag means even more to me.

Let’s all pray for the safety of all those who are risking their lives. Let’s pray for the hope we may continue to enjoy our freedoms. Let’s do what we can to show support and work to keep freedom.

Just as health is not something that you just have unless you take care of it, so it is with freedom. It’s not always a free gift of our creator, we often have to fight to keep it.