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Category: Holidays / Topics: Faith Family Holidays July 4 (U.S. Independence Day)

Independence Day

by Dan Seagren

Posted: July 1, 2007

Your senior moment (and mine) is how do we create a meaningful holiday (commemorating someone or something) when we really don't get a day off (and perhaps our grandkids live far away)…

Retired seniors probably don’t appreciate holidays as much as children, families, those gainfully employed, and politicians (and lobbyists). The 4th of July is difficult to manipulate although it could have been July 2nd as that was the day the Declaration of Independence was affirmed.

Everyone almost celebrates my birthday which is Halloween although many are unaware of my birthday as well as the origin of the evening before All Saints Day. My wife’s birthday falls on February 22, the same day as George Washington (but not the same year). Both Abraham Lincoln and George Washington lost out as Congress established Presidents Day which falls somewhere between February 12-22, on a Monday of course, giving us another three-day holiday weekend.

This is pretty difficult to do with July 4th and so far has escaped lobbyists who would like another weekend holiday. But not to worry. When the 4th falls in the middle of the week, it is rather tempting to stretch the holiday into several days, and an even longer weekend perhaps.

Your senior moment (and mine) is how do we create a meaningful holiday (commemorating someone or something) when we really don’t get a day off (and perhaps our grandkids live far away). Nor do we get a kick anymore out of waving a shimmering sparkler (remember those?) or tossing a firecracker. However, we might enjoy a parade if one occurs.

We’ve discussed this before as we’re reminded of the monotony of everyday the same (like six Saturdays in a week) with the necessity of breaking up our routine. Even seniors ought to take vacations, three-day weekends, and swap a rocking chair on the front porch for a swing in the back yard. Yes, it is true: seniors need holidays as well as kids, families and working folk.

Now a word or two about Independence Day. None of us were alive in 1776 much less 1640. Even if George seems slighted, he was a monumental figure along with a few other stalwarts who refused to remain a colony of England. Remember, at one time the sun never set on the British Empire. It was a powerful nation and did its best to make our country one of its colonies.

The Declaration of Independence as we look back on it was probably a brash resolution. When diplomacy failed, our forefathers were forced to fight for our freedom. Believe it or not, they won in more ways than one. They won the battle against enormous odds, and they won not a temporary independence but a permanent one. And they paid a huge price but felt it was worth it.

Now, a declaration of independence can be a noble deed but it can also be a dangerous undertaking. To be totally independent is unquestionably unwise. Independence ought to be well structured, carefully thought out, amended when necessary, and followed diligently. In the two-plus centuries following 1776, it is still our guide but not without some disputes, questionable interpretations, and for some, an albatross around their neck.

Let’s face it. Even seniors cannot quote the declarations verbatim nor should we. But we should at least know the gist of the declarations and above all, be thankful for them. Especially in our increasingly pluralistic society. We need something to keep us from becoming a loose connection of independent nationalities, religions, cultures and mores.

We need July 4 more than we may realize as we need a Declaration of Independence to make us dependent. This declaration is a starting point. In God We Trust is more than a slogan. It is the impetus that made the Declaration work and it has worked well for 231 years. Viva la July 4th.



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Dan Seagren is an active retiree whose writings reflect his life as a Pastor, author of several books, and service as a Chaplain in a Covenant Retirement Community.

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Posted: July 1, 2007   Accessed 107 times

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