Faith in the 4th #5
“Proud? You should be!” Angela told him.
“Indeed,” Jackson said.
“Hey, Mom!” Victoria said, pulling at Angela’s shirt. “Can we go to the playground?”
Roderick’s spirit hunkered down by her for a moment. Their son, Corby, was standing right behind Victoria.
“Hey, will you give me one minute?” Roderick asked.
“Celebrations are great! I love them. I’m always grateful to see the celebrations for the 4th of July,” he said again.
“But let me give you just a little lesson, okay? Few people are aware of the extent of the war we fought. The first battle was on April 19th, 1775, Lexington, Massachusetts, and the first shots were fired between the British and the Continental Army. It was followed closely by the battle at Concord, where the ‘Minutemen’ of the Continental Army managed to force the British back to Boston. And, yes, the Declaration of Independence, mostly written by Thomas Jefferson was officially adopted on the 4th of July, but it was voted in on the second and signed—by most of the delegates—on the 2nd of August at the Pennsylvania State House. But what most people don’t realize is that the last battle wasn’t fought until October 18, 1781, at that was the Siege of Yorktown and it was our good General Washington with help from the Compte de Rochambeau and at sea, the Compte de Grasse and his men kept General Cornwallis from receiving supplies or help.
And General Charles Cornwallis surrendered on October 19th of 1781.
Then, of course, that battle allowed for negotiations on the road to peace and it was the Treaty of Versailles which led to the United States being recognized as a separate, self-governing country.
Now of course, and in my lifetime, I have many good British friends-some departed here at the time, others through the years, and very occasionally, a seer such as yourself.
Well, then again, I was a Brit but our arguments for being free were good ones!
Still, as you can see, we had a long road to travel after the Declaration of Independence!
And,” he added softly, “I am grateful to say that I survived the Battle of Yorktown and went on to have a beautiful family and live into my eighties!”
“And then you chose to remain,” Angela said softly.
“You are so cool!” Corby informed him.
Angela grinned at Jackson. Roderick was good. Both children had listened to him intently, as if they’d forgotten the playground all together.
“I needed to see what I could do when to aid this great country!” Roderick said.
“Ah, and to watch for our greatest promise to be kept—the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness for all men. And, of course, it wasn’t all men back then, but I did what I could, whispered to those who could sense me, and I was able to see our laws fixed for all men and women of any background, creed, or color!
Well, for some, it’s still something we must always insist upon, but .
. . anyway! I am happy to be here to celebrate this 4th of July!
It’s not just any 4th! It’s the tw0-hundred and fiftieth anniversary of 4th!
What a celebration! And with friends such as I haven’t seen in a long, long time, I celebrate the past and the present!
Seers! Old friends and new friends. Whoops, one more thing!
Then the playground. Something the awful people who did this missed!
Third article! Freedom of speech—but not speech that threatens violence.
Freedom of the press! And all are entitled to their own opinions!
And that’s what this mayor recognizes! We may disagree on different issues, but we need to learn to be civil and decent—”
“Kind!” Victoria offered.
“Well, in this case, I was going to say that we need to remember the art of compromise!” Roderick said. “But kind, yes, that’s a good one! So, playground?”
“Playground!” Victoria cried.
But they all stopped before they started. Because the band was up—and they ere playing the Star Bangled Banner.
Their hands over their hearts, they sang along.
And as the song ended, Angela was laughing as they ran along with their children—and their spirit friends—to reach the playground.
It had indeed turned into a happy, happy 4th of July.
Jackson turned to Angela.
“Happy, happy, amazing 4th of July! Two-hundred and fifty years!”
“Happy, happy—and to the next two-hundred and fifty!” she told him.
“And may we grow and grow and . . .”
“Hey!” Roderick shouted. “Sure, yep, to the next! But to the playground now! Who knows, maybe I’ll be around to celebrate more and more! Happy 4th!”
And with the kids hurrying behind him, Roderick moved on toward the playground.
“To this particular 4th of July!” Angela said, grinning. “And all the faith that got through to this incredible celebration!”
“Faith in the 4th!” Jackson agreed. “No horrendous lethal explosion! But . . . !”
And Angela smiled.
Fireworks were bursting into the sky.
No lethal explosion.
Just beautiful lights.
Faith in the 4th.
And it was great!