"I go good with cilantro."

It is the 4th of July, my favorite holiday of all! It is not the mark of a new year, or one created by Hallmark, or one you dress like anyone but yourself, nor one where many try to prove their faith by the stretching the depth of their pocketbooks.(yes, Christmas)
The 4th is something real. It means something.
Just ask your great grandfather, grandfather, father, mother, sister, brother. . .
Soldiers who have taken the position of defense, pride, honor and belief in something so much bigger than all the rest.
The 4th celebrates our independence and our freedom. It comes from the hearts and souls of the persons who believe so strongly in this country that they sacrifice everything.
I know that in this time where the economy is severely struggling, oil prices soar, our environment suffers and some people have lost common courtesy - I have to trust, believe and above all hope that this country and it's people will persevere. We can be, after all, a class act above the rest. Hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, epidemics, poverty and ruin have seen the grace of this country. Even as we face our own struggles, this country still finds ways to dig in and mend those in need.

6:50 am this morning I lay in my warm bed listening to the soft rain tap against the window. I strongly considered tucking the covers under my chin and catching a few more hours of slumber but in 15 minutes Christie and her 10 year old son, Kadir, would be arriving and I was in charge of coffee.
By 7:32 we were parked and out of the car. BANG!!!! The starting gun sounded 7:35 am - THEY'RE OFF!!! Our steps quickened.
Despite the rain the turnout for the Bluegrass 10,000 (10K - 6.2 mile race) was astounding. We sat, perched on my favorite wall at Kentucky Ave. & Main and cheered, yelled, clapped and said "hello!" to familiar and new faces!
They ranged from stroller age to those far into their years.
Through the rain there were friends laughing, dads running with sons, teams in training, goals being achieved and struggles being overcome. One man carried the American flag in one hand and a POW & MIA flag in the other. (He does this every year) I can't imagine how tired his arms are, the amount of strength (both mentally and physically) it takes for him to carry TWO full size flags for 6 miles. I imagine to him, it is a small burden to bare.
I am amazed, every year at the people I see.
I am touched at their mission and perseverance.

Kadir was THE cheerleader! "Way to go! Keep it up! You're almost there! You're not first but you sure aren't last! Hurray hurray hurray! You've made it this far! You came to finish and that is what you're gonna do! If you finish the race. . . You're a winner!" He was inspiring. His voice drew so many smiles! All of us clapped until our hands were red and sore.

It was a grand morning! It was a good analogy to cultivate. It may not be perfect conditions but the best was being made of it. There was sunshine in the rain.

Christie (with pride)to her cheering son: "Boy! I could just eat you up!"
Kadir: "I go good with cilantro."