gratitude in 55 words...

Freedom isn't free, to be sure.
Every time I see you, I stop to say thanks
for your sacrifice and that of your family.
Thank God for people like you,
who make it possible for people like me.
I love our country and I know you do too.
Happpy Birthday to US, God Bless You!

I had to spend my Friday Flash 55 giving thanks to our troops, veterans, police, fire, ems and everyone who works to make our country safe and free! THANKS to all of you!!

I love Independence Day weekend, I look forward to this all winter long. I'm so grateful to live in the U.S., and so grateful to those who keep us safe and serve our citizens. Thank God for the founding fathers and their providential wisdom. We're not a perfect Republic, but I still believe we have the best thing going.

Part of my gig as the "chamber guy" is to host the Independence Day Celebration festivities in one of the small communities represented by our chamber of commerce. They give me the microphone (not sure on the wisdom of that lol) to make announcements all weekend. Our chamber runs a pulled pork BBQ sandwicch stand as a fundraiser all weekend, selling melt-in-your-mouth fresh pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, yum! So, I hang out in this little town of 878 souls all weekend, talking, relaxing, celebrating, coaching a little league b-ball game, hosting the pie bake-off, selling BBQ, announcing, helping with the parade and helping to coordinate one of the best fireworks displays around (in my humble opinion).

For me, this weekend is the perfect example of what my sobriety is, and what my life has become. My family spends a bunch of time at the festival enjoying the food, music, games, friends and all that. I get to do some community service and celebrate real freedom on so many levels. It's really about gratitude all weekend and that lights my sober fires! This is what my life has become, wrapped into one awesome weekend!

Thank you God, for all the good gifts in my life today, wow!