July 5, 2010 @ 6:39 am | Filed under: Family,Friends

A few weeks ago Nate called my grandfather, wanting to know if he felt up to an “interview.” Of course my grandfather welcomed it because it meant a visit and some time with his great-grandson. The information that Nathan walked away with after the two hour visit, however, is something that will only grow more precious with the passage of time.

I thought about all that information yesterday morning as the choir began to sing “America,” and the congregation rose up as one, crossed our hands over our hearts, and wiped tears from our eyes as we celebrated freedom, our great country, and the men and women who made this freedom real for us.

I thought about my grandfather’s role in World War II, and then I thought about the many times our special speaker looked death right in the eye – all in the name of America and her inhabitants – and I felt an overwhelming surge of love for both of these men and the many just like them that were ready to give it all so we can have it all.

North Cities - as always – brought it this July 4th. After the special celebratory service, a wonderful lunch under the big tent was served, and then an amazing afternoon of volleyball tournaments, lazer tag, a fire engine, board games, and lots of fun, fellowship and laughter.

It was a day that just made you proud to be an American!

Then the day took a little bit of a turn, and we ended up spending the better part of the afternoon in my grandfather’s living room, taking turns looking after him and waiting for a nurse to come and check his vitals and his status. We made the most of it though and enjoyed the time together.

We wrapped up the day with great friends at the Rough Rider baseball game.

Once again – just as I had experienced that morning in church – I felt my heart beat just a bit harder as the old, familiar patriotic songs pierced the air in the stadium.

Just as we had in the morning’s service, we stood to clap and honor the men and women who’d served our country in the armed forces.  Fireworks rounded out the evening, punctuated by the sound of a friend’s laughter and shared fellowship.

It was a day that just made you glad to be an American!