The past few years Bern and I have been trying out different ways to spend the 4th of July, going to people's parties, hanging out at the house Andy and Whitney were house-sitting, etc. This year we returned to the old ways and went to Central Park and played with a young family. It was the hottest 4th of July we ever remember. We didn't need jackets or blankets this year! We ran and wrestled and danced with Emily and Bevan Jajeh who thought they were in heaven with the whole park to play in. We ate the fried chicken and potato salad and chocolate chip cookies. Then we watched a very satisfying fireworks show.
My mind kept flashing to 4ths of the past, with our kids and their friends and the people we knew from CPC sharing the grassy picnic area with us. The park is the same, the music is the same and the ambience was the same--except for the big muslim family who were praying next to our chairs when we first arrived.
OK, so that's different. So many newbies who don't look or talk like our family did years ago. We were surrounded by all kinds of different languages in all kinds of families from all kinds of places. Each group seemed so insulated from the others as they sat on their blankets. It definitely felt odd to me. When we stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the national anthem, I wondered how many of them knew the words. Later I realized that the people who are like our family had gathered en masse right in front of the band stand.
So things are different now. The great melting pot that is America adds new ingredients all the time. I left Central Park just grateful for a peaceful celebration with all the familiar traditions---shared with folks who I hope will learn to love this nation as much as I do.
I do love this nation and I am deeply grateful that is has been home for part of my family for over 350 years---and home for other family members for 150 years, 100 years and 30 years. We are immigrants who moved here hoping for the best. We also brought the best we had to offer to make her a greater nation than when we arrived. I hope others who come will carry on that tradition.
Happy Summer!
My mind kept flashing to 4ths of the past, with our kids and their friends and the people we knew from CPC sharing the grassy picnic area with us. The park is the same, the music is the same and the ambience was the same--except for the big muslim family who were praying next to our chairs when we first arrived.
OK, so that's different. So many newbies who don't look or talk like our family did years ago. We were surrounded by all kinds of different languages in all kinds of families from all kinds of places. Each group seemed so insulated from the others as they sat on their blankets. It definitely felt odd to me. When we stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the national anthem, I wondered how many of them knew the words. Later I realized that the people who are like our family had gathered en masse right in front of the band stand.
So things are different now. The great melting pot that is America adds new ingredients all the time. I left Central Park just grateful for a peaceful celebration with all the familiar traditions---shared with folks who I hope will learn to love this nation as much as I do.
I do love this nation and I am deeply grateful that is has been home for part of my family for over 350 years---and home for other family members for 150 years, 100 years and 30 years. We are immigrants who moved here hoping for the best. We also brought the best we had to offer to make her a greater nation than when we arrived. I hope others who come will carry on that tradition.
Happy Summer!
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2 comments:
how to add picture: you are writing your blog and above your text, before you publish, you see a bar with various icons like color and font. Towards the right there is one that is blue and green and looks like a picture. click on it, browse and add a picture! hope that helps!
Thank, Whitney,
as you can see, I have learned to add pictures to my posts!
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