Well, the summer is almost drawing to a close and as I wander through the park, there is a fine mist coming down. I draw my hat down and pick up my collar on my coat and look at all the beauty surrounding me. Now all the colors are starting to change and the flowers are all oranges and darker hues as they hail in the change of season. Children still play their games and you can here their joyous laughter as they run past and chase each other.
There is a small shelter nearby with a few benches in it and that is where I am headed today. I really am not up to sitting down on an outside bench and getting soaked. Even though it is a light mist, after awhile it would penetrate my coat. No sense getting sick.
Sitting and opening my thermos it is so soothing to drink my cup of Joe and think about all that is happening in this world. So much confusion and so much uncertainty. Some are for this war and others oppose it. All have their reasons why they feel they are right and each believes that their way is the only way. Some just have fear in their hearts for all that is going on and are uncertain as to which way is the best way to proceed in gaining peace. Ahh, PEACE, it is a wonderful concept. Will there ever be a time in our lifetime where there can ever be total peace? I truly doubt it.
Recently I had the privilege to see the Blue Angels perform and I could feel goose pimples form on my arms and legs. My chest swelled up and I was so proud of those fighter pilots as they whizzed by each other in precision. So wonderful and talented these young people are up there showing us their skills in maneuvering their mighty fighter planes. We are a strong and wonderful nation. We have the ability to show other nations how to work and live together as one with freedom and love for each other. I sat there and watched the whole show and watched the people around me too. All of them felt like I did. You could see it in there faces as they stood and the marching band came into view with the American flag waving in the breeze. I stood up as the band stopped and played the National Anthem. Then a soldier stepped forward with a microphone and began to say the Pledge of Allegiance. We all said it and I could feel the pride enter my body and the lump form in my throat as it always does when I say the Pledge of Allegiance.
I thought of all the people that were there, every race, religion, and each with his and her own opinions on what is best for these United States. Here we were all joined as one. All of us reciting and singing about our glorious nation. I smiled because when all is said and done, we all love our country in our own way.
The mist has turned into a full blown rainstorm and I have decided that I will wait here until it slows down before trying to return home. I just smiled and watched the rain as it trickled down the petals of the flowers and made them even more beautiful. I had plenty of Joe left, so I poured myself another cup and settled in to wait for my chance to scurry back home.
