Awakenings: Countdown: 1 Happy 4th of July

Fourth of July is here! 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1

We have counted down and the celebration is on! Adrenaline is pumping as you seek out the best fireworks to display or watch. Imagination is running wild trying to outdo last year's celebration. Creative juices are flowing as you are knee deep in preparing the best mouth-watering recipes ever. Cocktails, Appeteasers, Star-Spangled Burgers, Hot dogs, all-American classic apple pies are ready to serve. Right? WHEW! The guest list is complete thus vanquishing all possibilities of chaos and stress.

BUT, one question remains: Are you truly READY to celebrate the true meaning of this day?

5 - In God We Trust
4 - Star-Spangled Banner
3 - Pledge of Allegiance

2 - Remember Our Troops

1 - Happy Independence Day!

We live in America, we rejoice in America's freedoms, and today we celebrate America's independence!

Waving American Flag

The American Flag: Wave it proudly!

An icon of American freedom, a symbol of liberty, a motif referring to the United States, a banner for independence––

all symbolize America and the principles upon which she stands. Small flags are displayed on holidays, i.e., Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Presidents' Day, Flag Day, and of course, on today's special day, Independence Day. American flags also proudly displayed beside war memorials and next to the graves of U.S. war veterans. They are flown at public buildings and it is not uncommon to find full-size flags flying in the yards of private homes.

It was not an easy task the designing of this flag; there were no modern sewing machines and most stitchery was performed by hand and by candlelight or oil lamps. Can you imagine George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross coming into your home and asking you to sew the first flag? While you may have been accustomed to embroidering ruffles for Washington's shirt bosoms and cuffs, would you be up to this entirely different undertaking destined to be the representation of an entire nation for generations to come?

Stitches in Time is a brief review of the making of America's flag, aka, "Stars and Stripes," "Old Glory," and "The Star-Spangled Banner." Put yourself back in time when our key founding fathers established the platform for America's freedom. . .

Each day we pass buildings, homes, and grave sites displaying this iconic symbol of America. With each passing, what do YOU see at the sight of the American flag? Next time you pass one by don't let its vision pass you by without thoughts of embracing the past, empowering the present, and enriching the future of America!

Happy Independence Day!