Liberty

July 4th Fireworks

in Palos Heights

Palos Heights, like other small towns (I know, officially, it's a city) has a 4th of July tradition. Somewhere west of Lake Katherine, starting at 9:15 P.M., the fireworks begin. This year the booms and brilliant displays lasted only 15 minutes.

A Canada goose honked loudly as it sought what security it could find. A lone swan paddled near the shore – perhaps finding solace in human company.

People, many people, had parked their vehicles where they could find spots on nearby side streets and walked, sometimes several blocks – carrying blankets or folding chairs. After a great, if brief, show, hundreds of people gathered their blankets and folding chairs and headed back to their cars.

What’s it all about, this thing called liberty? While 1776 is important in the birth of the United States, that isn't what this little blog post is about.

Paul wrote of a more universal freedom, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

Where the Spirit of kindness is, where truth, patience, good-will, and respect prevail – this is true freedom. For me, this is also what the annual fireworks celebrate.