Let me first remind everyone we are officially in summer as June 20th was the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. And I know it because I get to sit on my porch and watch the amazing Fire-flies – or when I grew up they were lightning bugs!
I remember seeing a family from Connecticut who had recently moved to Florida. She was expressing how since moving she had forgotten how beautiful and magical the fireflies were. It brought her back to her childhood in Connecticut. Once again, the amazement of nature. One of the specialties that only happens for a month or so, and only in certain places. If any of you have never seen or experienced a firefly, you must put it on the summer bucket list!
In life, I am forever reminded of “it’s” the little things that are the most significant and cherished moments in our lives. Knowing the importance of sunrises, sunsets, walking on the beach, or hiking with someone whom you love, having an amazing conversation that you’ll remember forever.
However in my world of connecting with loved ones (as I lovingly call DPs), I am reminded by many families, spouses, siblings, and children, that July 4th does bring up some missing sadness, especially those family members who have died in military service, or who are not at home for July 4th weekend and picnics because they are in service. A different emotion for July 4th, where those moments are even more cherished and important. I grew up in a family where all the men went to war, my dad and both my uncles. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my mother was president of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary 10 times. The joke was, when I went through all her photo albums it was compiled of all her American Legion activity and none of her children. Thus, being raised with the importance of the military! It was her life!
My reference as to what this holiday means to us as Americans: many folks are expressing the importance of our freedom, what it means, and why we should never take for granted what we have.
I had the privilege several years ago to visit Eastern Europe. It hit me very emotionally: July 4th, freedom, the Founding Fathers, they all rang through my mind when I saw so many countries that were affected by the Nazi regime. To be honest, this is something most Americans know about especially if they have had family directly or indirectly affected by WW11. If you had a family member who had to leave Germany, Poland, or other Eastern European countries, who lost family members, or were separated/immigrated to the US for freedom. We are a country built on immigrants, unless, of course, you have Native American heritage. As stated, in my world I’ve heard all the family stories first-hand from family loved ones in spirit. I was fortunate enough to view archived videos where some folks in their 90s talk of being children when they lost parents, siblings, or their entire families. It is something that needless to say stays with you your whole life. I am reminded that if you study history, it does repeat itself.
If you ever have questions about the horrific destruction of dictatorship that many of these countries went through, I would suggest for you to visit and see for yourself. I visited Vienna, Prague, and Berlin. To see the rebuilding process was amazing, 80% of Berlin was destroyed. We can be thankful for our constitution and the Continental Congress declaring the US would NO longer be beholden to the monarchy of Great Britain, and King George III. We are free independent states. It was the American Revolution, the separation of the 13th Colonies. The Tea Party and well you know the rest. For all of you numbers folks, 13 is considered a very interesting powerful number in numerology.
Thus, we are all privileged to experience July 4th, kick off the boots, put on the flip-flops, wade in the lake, ocean, or even the pool…hum..places you might not want to carry your phone..hint…leave it at home or in the car! Go to the botanical gardens and outdoor concerts (I’m seeing Bonnie Raitt in August) and soak it in!
If you’re missing a loved one and looking to connect, I have two small group sessions coming up on July 9th and July 15th and some private one-on-ones, in between spending time within my garden, of course!
Love to connect this month.
With love,
Suzane
