My Thoughts

This week I had one of those wonderful teachable moments when work mates were discussing our work holiday for the 4th of July.  Many of my work mates are from Mexico and are so unaware of what the holiday means.  Having some knowledge of Mexican history helped as I explained that Diesiseis de Septiembre is the equivalent of the 4th of July.  I guess I could've just kept my mouth shut, but really??  This is the birthday of all that I believe in.........my independence, my heritage, my pride in the sacrifice of so many before me. So, the American Revolution...............the quintessential rebellious nature that defines so much of our American heritage.  When the colonists had enough of the rules and regulations that deprived them of basic liberties, they made a decision that would have cost them their lives if they lost.  They knew this, but did it anyway.  Think of the Alamo.  Think of "Lone Survivor".  I guarantee that the initial spirit...

With the 4th of July only a couple days away, I thought I'd spend some time visiting with the family and share some of our family heritage. As the United States turns 236 years old this week, thinking about those unique ancestors who risked so much to bring about the American independence takes me back to Virginia, North / South Carolina and Maryland and the original 13 colonies.  We all get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget to honor the past; or, as is often the case, families are unaware of the past.  Technology opens the coffins of complacency and sweeps away the dust of indifference.  I love learning about my ancestors.  They are some unique individuals who lived life in another time and place but who are still present in our genetics.  Think about it...........the same DNA that existed in a person 236 years ago is chronicled in my own DNA.  It is almost like a message left in a bottle...........all I have to do is open the bottle.  Our col...