There's A First Time For Everything

Well, it's almost July 4th, the 250th Birthday of the United States of America. So it's appropriate to see flags fluttering from houses, yards and towns in my area. And whiIe I love my country, I don't like some of what's going on. Like, while some of us are blessed, too many are not. And our Constitution, with its Bill of Rights, is looking vulnerable. Why? Because some leaders bend, break or ignore laws for personal gain.

Then again, there's the diversion of the World Cup. Thousands of reminders that we are more alike than different. While politics often separates us, most of us enjoy meeting new people, trying unusual foods, exploring new places and experiencing different cultures. Oh, and cheering on our teams. Win or lose.

For example, the Scots brought so much fun and laughter to Boston, and kept the pubs hopping. Some came in kilts, some played bagpipes as they marched into Fenway Park to watch a Red Sox game. And some tied tartan scarves around our famous brass ducklings in the Boston Public Garden. The Boston Globe used a full page to thank them for coming. Then the Scots took out a page to thank us for our warm welcome. And yesterday The Scots took a page to invite us to Scotland. It's a small world, after all.

Then there were the Norwegians. A Fun Fest! We watched non-Norwegians don Viking helmets or blond wigs to cheer for Norway. (Check out Haaland, their star player. ) And, hot as it was, fans sat in bleachers and rowed. If you haven't seen the Viking row, go to YouTube. If I were a little smarter, or younger, I'd provide a link.

So having the world come to our neighborhood, along with celebrating the 250th birthday of our country, nudges me to remember the gift of being a nation of immigrants. And why it is so important to remember our own history. And to resist that which separates, like using names that slur or shame people. Names like loser, alien, and worse.

And that brings me back to our nation's birthday, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We're talking about freedom. Which, for me, brings images of Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post illustrations. His magazine covers told stories without words. Rockwell helped me visualize school integration through the bravery of six year old Ruby Bridges in New Orleans. And the Four Freedoms, based on President Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union address, became personal. They were: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear. FDR saw them as basic human rights for everyone in the world.

However, the actual Bill of Rights protects five freedoms: Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, Freedom to Assemble and Freedom to Petition. So, we threaten these freedoms when we support dictatorships, autocracies or Christian nationalism. Democracy does not thrive on uniformity.

So, dear friends and family, take hope from the World Cup and from the First Amendment and our Bill of Rights. We are a nation of immigrants, descendants of former slaves and Native Americans. We're young, as nations go, which also feeds hope. So this is a good time to examine who we've been, who we are and who we want to grow up to be. The world is watching, and so are our children, grandchildren and neighbors.

And that nudges me to ask what difference does my faith make? What does Freedom from Fear look like to me? To you? And how can I respond to those who have never experienced Freedom from Want?

Patriotism has its place. So lets fly flags, picnic and celebrate. But lets, also, take another look at the Statue of Liberty. France gave Lady Liberty to us on July 4, 1884, to celebrate American independence and the abolition of slavery. Now, consider the words engraved on the base of the statue: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..."

So, lets reexamine what it means to be first, at home and in the world, starting with the First Amendment.

Makes me wonder how Norman Rockwell would illustrate us today? So I ask, what does the First Amendment mean to you? Choose from the Five, as written, or the Four Freedoms as illustrated by Norman Rockwell. This could make for some interesting table conversations.

You go first.

Happy 250th Birthday, America!

And speaking of firsts, this is the first time I've been early with a birthday card! And my friends and family can vouch for that.