God bless america

god bless america
land that i love
stand beside her, and guide her
through the night with the light from above
from the mountains to the prairies
to the oceans, white with foam
god bless america
my home sweet home

at work on friday, we had special music entertainment (excellent musician, skillfully handling all genres on the violin and mandolin) and he ended his show inviting us all to sing the previous words with him. there aren't words to express what that song meant to me...i had to fight back the tears as i reflected on the past few years.
this independence day weekend i truly am thankful for my independence. so very thankful and grateful to live in a country- my home where i have the freedom to express my gratitude for my rights, as well as my frustration with government leaders without fear of being tortured or killed for doing either.
this freedom hasn't been cheap, by any means. yet so often we (yes even myself at times) take for granted the freedoms and rights we have that have been paid for with blood sweat and tears.
so i just wanted to take a moment, politics aside, and sincerely say thank you to anyone who might be reading this who's served this country to ensure our rights can be exercised in the comforts of our communities.
thank you for the countless sacrifices made to step up to the call of duty and go where our leaders have asked.
it is deeply appreciated by this quirky lil yeller rose.
thank you.