This Is My Country

Fourth of July Boston Style! The morning started off with a flag ceremony in front of City Hall. I love seeing the companies dressed in the colonial dress, with the musicians playing and shooting their rifles. We next headed to the Old State House where we heard a reading of the Declaration of Independence. It was read from the same balcony where it was first read to the people of Boston in 1776. I find it incredible to think about the ideals of our founding fathers. They were willing to face insurmountable odds in order to establish a country, a land that would give people the opportunity to be free and pursue happiness. I know that the Lord had a hand in preparing this nation as the birthplace of the restoration.
After hearing the Declaration we went to Fanieul Hall where we heard an oration by Craig Ferguson, host of the Late, Late Show. He is Scottish but recently became an American citizen. One thing he said that stood out to me was that as Americans, we may make lots and lots of mistakes, but we always do the right thing in the end. That afternoon we went to the North End and learned about the changing bells in the Old North Church. There is actually a lot of work that goes into making the beautiful music. They have to learn patterns and time the ringing just right.
That evening we watched the fireworks from Harvard Bridge. We heard the Boston Pops concert again as it was broadcast. Amy tried to teach me some Irish dance steps, and little did we know, but we entertained all those in the vicinity. We blushed just a little when they broke into applause. The fireworks were amazing! They had cool ones that had tons of little explosions allover the sky... some that had a balloon and floated slowly down... some that floated out and reminded me of Spirited Away... some that shot only up and fell down like rain... and all the classics too. It was sweet to celebrate the birth of America in the place where it all started.