Take "Courage Dear Heart"
Happy Independence Day
We’ve come through a lot in these last few years. Our nation, no matter how it is perceived on the outside, nor how it looks in media, we are, and for all intents and purposes, “America The Beautiful.”
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I took a copy of this piece I published July 4th 2023, to share again (updated).
This week, it was good to see a “free press,” namely “The Free Press” announce it would celebrate the heck out of America’s upcoming 250th birthday next year, for an entire year. Then I saw this today, July 3rd by Larissa Phillips for The Free Press. Awesome.
No matter all the problems of our broken imperfections, plagued with man’s downfalls, America was birthed on the idea that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should be every man and woman’s dream. There is no other country like her.
For the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, expressing our unalienable rights, endowed by our Creator, and which governments are created to protect, we had a long way to go. As each man lifted his pen, he knew that they were committing High Treason in their endeavor to seek independence from the British. They knew they could die, at worst, or have everything taken from them at the least. Most had wives and families. It was bold and it worked.
It took 85 years to quantify this declaration of Human Rights, a Civil War, and much bloodshed...
America recovered.
and then it took more work.
America recovered again...
and I find that amazing.
Because of these principles laid out by those 56 men, we are able to strive for better and recover again and again, despite our imperfections.
We must never lose sight of this hope, or our Maker, from whom our real freedom is given.
America, the idea.
America,
The reason people dream to come here.
Courage dear heart.
Although I am British born and my heart will always be in two places - I have a different appreciation for the idea of America because, well… it was part of my dad’s dream to come to a country that no other country in the world was like. I had the pleasure and opportunity of photographing university students from other countries (with my work) who spoke in awe of America and the opportunities presented to them. One student, from Ghana, saying his family together, held no less than 10 master’s degrees. An achievement not many other countries afford the immigrant. I have never been more proud than to photograph our local parade. It represents the huge, diverse melting pot of hopes, dreams, baseball, apple pie, rock ‘n roll, and the bedrock of brave soldiers willing to keep our freedoms alive. Hence the opening to our parade with thundering motorcycles — all veterans.
It’s time to celebrate, because as Larissa Phillips says — to conclude her essay:
“More than anything it’s the thought of losing all that we have that has made me want to stand up for it. With the fog of youthful indignation finally cleared, I can see how much I admire the core values of this country. I am awed by the brilliant design of the founders. I am filled with gratitude and appreciation for the dazzling feats we have accomplished in just 250 years. Yes, America is imperfect. But so is everything: family and work and life. This is my country—the only one I’ve got—and I believe in it. That’s why I finally got my flag out of the closet.” - Larissa Phillips for The Free Press
True story: In 2021 our flag blew down while we were eating dinner. It was the summer, 4th of July had just passed, and we hung it, as we always do — but we had put it away because the world felt so hateful around us for awhile. The doorbell suddenly rang and it was two police officers from our local sheriff’s department. They said our flag was on the ground and asked me politely if they could hang it back up. I don’t know why this story brings me tears — but I know why. And I’m not afraid to say that my dad brought us here for a reason and I will be forever grateful.
HAPPY 249TH BIRTHDAY AMERICA.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY.
<There’s some galleries below of our community parade in the city of La Verne, California - Los Angeles County — covered on Canon and Fuji >
Grateful for this kind and supportive community. oxox
I know, I know some of you are not in America :)
❤️
I got the email…but I also search your site each day. Love these photos and love your loyalty to our country…how lucky are we that your dad’s dream brought you to us! 🎉Love you…happy holiday weekend, Ms Beautiful Heart! ❤️🤍💙🇺🇸
Thank you, Deborah, my friend! I'm not in America but my heart is there. I wasn't born in Canada and I love the beauty of the country and my children and most of my grandchildren live in Canada, as I have for 34 years. But I am American and the child of immigrants from Poland and I am proud of my Polish heritage. I think we all love the courage that people before us have had and we all strive to maintain that courage throughout life. Every year we learn more and more about how important it is to participate in traditions in our countries, in the countries of others who are our friends. The world is a beautiful place. Let us all remember that!!