This weekend my cute little family went to my parent’s home back in Idaho. We went to a family reunion and enjoyed catching up with cousins and of course my Grandparents.
At the end of the trip, my hometown did their 4th of July firework show Saturday night, and I got to watch my little 9 month old experience fireworks for the first time.
When I became a mother, celebrating Independence Day meant so much more to me than BBQ and watching fireworks. And this year, just like the last 3, I have thought about how blessed I am to live in the United States of America.
My sweet boys were awe-struck by the fireworks on Saturday night, and Hudson was telling everyone about the “firetrucks” Sunday morning. I loved watching him almost more than the fireworks. Seeing the excitement in his eyes is absolutely heartwarming.
This year I have spent a lot of time in gratitude as I thought of my ancestors who chose to come to America. They left England on a hope that life could one day be better. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to leave an established career, a home, and nearly everything you once owned, then packing a trunk to board a ship to a foreign land.
Yet I am amazed at their hope for their future. Their faith that there was good to come someday. Their desire for their children & posterity to be free.
As I reflected on this, I asked myself how I can apply their hope in my life.
And I realized its right there in front of me. I have so many dreams, yet lately I have struggled with the tendency to second-guess my abilities and doubt myself. I realized that sometimes all we can do is hope for better. To hope for success. To hope for change.
But just like my ancestors, I have to make the changes, put in the hard work, roll up my sleeves, and not turn back. My amazing ancestors didn’t turn their ship around, even when storms blew in, sea-sickness or even loss came. My ancestors and those first settlers built their dreams into reality.
And isn’t that amazing? We too, can build our dreams into a reality.
As my husband and I make big decisions and dream big, we too can hope. And we must cling to that hope that things can and will get better. That success is ours, and boy are we ready!
Watching my sweet baby’s eyes light up with excitement watching the fireworks and my toddler squealed in delight filled my heart with gratitude once again last night. As our town’s firework show continued, I looked over and saw my baby fast asleep. Oh what a life!
I hope you had a wonderful Independence Day, and I wish that you too may feel that hope that carried those pilgrims and first settlers into this country. May you have the ability and strength and blessings to build your dreams into a reality.
XOXO,
Kelsie Ann
