Freedom

My little mama hen leads her little brood around the yard seeking out tasty bugs and seeds. She is brave and keeps a sharp eye on every move the chicks make, even scolding the one straggler who is to brave for his own good. When the rain falls, she creates and safe haven for them under her wings. At night she brings them in to a safe corner of the barn and shelters them from the night air. Watching her is therapeutic.

As the lambs grow their mother's too, keep watch over them. They wander far and investigate all. But at the end of the day, they seek out the comfort only their mothers can give. Even Blizzard, the first lamb ever to be born on our farm many years ago, lays quietly with her mother every night just as she has done since she was a baby. Watching them is therapeutic.

To be able to stop everyday and sit on my front steps for a few moments and marvel over nature grounds me. I would not be me if I did not have this life. I would not be happy.

Every hour of every day I know that I am free. I am free to wake up, eat cookies for breakfast, get in my car and drive to the light house, do kart wheels on the edge of the lawn, sing, shout, read any book I wish, listen to any kind of music I like, wear any clothes I desire ...I am free. Free because I was fortunate enough to be born in the greatest country in the world. I will never forget that I owe that freedom to the brave souls who felt so strongly about keeping me free, and to the brave souls who continue to dedicate their lives to freedom, mine and my children's freedom ...I am free. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Happy Birthday America!