The Fireworks of life...

 Dear Fishes-

       It's that time of year again where all of the pyros come out of hiding and legally get to blow up thousands to tens of thousands of dollars and more of fireworks. Nothing says "MUR-UH-CAH!" like blowing up stuff. In all honesty, I'm grateful for those that have fought, bled, and died for this great country. While it isn't perfect, it's the free-est ( did I just make up a word?) nation out there and we have liberties that other countries take for granted and despise. 

       I realize that a lot of people don't like patriotism these days for whatever reasons, which is sad. It shows a lack of respect for a country that has done more good than harm for its constituents. I think of my father that served in the Armed Forces through the Army and what he had to go through to protect, honor, and cherish this country because he was willing to die for it. He later was in the government and continued his service there for a total of twenty-two years serving as a public servant. While I had a tumultuous relationship with my father, he did show me how to have respect for a country that has protected a lot of freedoms of the people and for me. 

       While my father served in the Army, we lived abroad in Germany. I got to visit some countries nearby and have many stories to tell; one of which was in Paris, France. We went camping in Paris, near the Seine river. I would recommend not doing such because it was a terrible time and I'm going to write about the specifics in a book later on. While in Germany, my family visited a lot of broken down castles along with other famous sites. I can remember crossing a bridge and throwing day old French bread into the water and watching an NBA school of fish bounce the piece of bread to each one until one lucky fish got to eat it. Being in a formerly nazi (doesn't deserve to be capitalized) occupied country brought about new meaning, years later when I could understand history and the context it held between the Allies and the Axis. 

        I remember when I briefly was an insurance salesperson and had to deal with elderly clientele. I liked talking to the elderly, but didn't enjoy the job. One of the elderly people was from Germany and she told me that after World War I happened that the people would follow anyone--even satan himself because they were so defeated and looking for a way to survive--well, they did pick satan--just a different name (hitler). That individual led a nation to believe that one people was better than another nation because of how they looked, burned books, gassed people to death, stole famous artworks, and many other dastardly deeds. I can remember as a child that my dad had this large gun that he had to tout around the German city, but it didn't have any bullets inside is what he told me later on--which was kind of odd. 

       When the U.S. finally defeated the nazis, they took power and put up encampments for the military bases to exist on. Yes, I'm aware that in the U.S. that there were some nefarious situations that took place, on a smaller scale that included the Tuskegee experiment and how awful that was (if you don't know about that, look it up--it's terrible). I'm also not overlooking slavery--that was very wrong too. Does it still happen today in different countries? Sure it does. Should it be stopped? Of course. Does racism still exist? Of course it does and this is 2024--which there needs to be an end to it. I write all of this because I realize that the U.S. isn't perfect and that there was a period of time where they were sterilizing individuals that they believed shouldn't have children--which is wrong. My parents were from the South. I have seen racism all too many times, even out of the south. It's wrong and people shouldn't participate in it. I've also seen reversed racism and that's wrong too. A person shouldn't be punished for what someone else did. A person should be punished for their own transgressions and not someone else's. 

         Now after saying all of that, I recognize that the U.S. has more freedoms than any other nation in the world and that we have come a long way in the treatment of others. I'm all about legal immigration  in the U.S., but when we have a border crisis such as we do now, it is beyond disconcerting. Who knows what or whom that is coming across our borders and affecting the freedoms that we have today?! For all we know we could be allowing isis members and their lackeys over here through the southern border not being protected. Other countries keep a watchful eye, while biden has repeatedly let down the people of the U.S. by not caring about what or who comes through the southern border. On another note biden doesn't sound fit to be the president (after the debate) of this great nation either because his cognitive failings are too much and he puts us at jeopardy with the rest of the world. Maybe he was sharp when he was younger, but that time has ended...decades ago. 

          When my family came back to the states, I got to live in a plethora of states and experience what each one had to offer. One of the states that I got to live in was California and I loved it there. California feels like where my soul is from. I was 15 years old when my family moved there and I loved every single minute of it there--even when we moved to Bako (which is a bit backwards, but somehow loveable at the same time). However, I haven't been back to California for 8-9 years. I've heard that my beloved state has gone to the dogs. I probably wouldn't recognize it even if I went back there now. I've heard that politics have just run it into the ground. I do like living in Utah, even though I never thought I'd ever live here because LDS people are like this: LDS people can be likened unto manure. When manure is spread out, it fertilizes the ground. When it's all together it just smells like manure. I'm LDS and I still feel like an outsider here. The people are good here, though, for the most part. I'm not naive to think this place is without its downfalls, but it's been a good place to live. There are a lot of people that care a lot about one another--which is refreshing...and sometimes a little invasive though. 

           My point with all of this is to say that this country is founded upon ideals and principles that are for everyone, every person, and every creed. I believe that this country was founded by God because it was by no other way that a group of rebels could defeat a superpower such as England without God's help. I firmly believe that while there are a lot of incongruencies there are a lot of things that are right. I understand why some might not think the U.S. is great, but they haven't been abroad or read historical records of other places that don't give as much freedom there. For what we're working with, the U.S. has been the greatest nation in the world that allows as many freedoms as it does. I know that a lot of other countries don't give women as many opportunities that the women in the U.S. experience, such as myself. A lot of other women from different countries come to the U.S. because they seek a better life and platform to utilize, and they find it in the U.S.. Most other countries treat women like chattel--only good for breeding and exploitation. I have a friend that was in the Armed Forces and he said that a lot of women in the different countries he lived at and worked were treated subserviently. No where in the world do women have access to as many things that they do here. 

           I have ancestors that have bled, fought, and died for this country. I have ancestors that came to the U.S. on the Mayflower, trying to escape religious persecutions and live a better life where they were free to worship. I have a long line of individuals that have fought for this country and all that she stands for. Ancestors that fought in the American Revolution, The Civil War (both sides), and many other wars. My lineage goes far back and I appreciate what my forbearers bled, died, and lived for. I don't expect other people to understand exactly, but if you live in the U.S. count yourself lucky to live in a country that offers the freedoms to vote, live a peaceful life, and live how you want to--few countries offer those kinds of things. Don't take it for granted and get hung up on moments of this great Union that are not the best highlights of it. Did they happen? Yes. Do we move forward with a brighter display of the future? Yes. God Bless America. Long may she stand. 

See ya in the sea anemone, 

B.