Yay for the 4th of July =)

Since July 4th is approaching in two days, it got me realizing how much I love this holiday! Yes it is when our great nation found independence and found its voice. I am so thankful to live in a nation where I could protest, write, and say anything that I feel. I am also so thankful to have rights as an independent, single woman.  I have the opportunity to have a job, drive a car, take birth control and have the ability to leave my house wearing whatever I feel. I love my country even though at times I do not show it. I feel bad humans, especially women and especially in Iran that do not get to enjoy the same rights that I do. 

But there is more to the 4th of July then our nation's birthday of independence. It is a holiday where old friends reunite after long periods of absence, or families coming together for a complete celebration together. This will be the first time in years that my whole family will be together for the fourth and I couldn't be happier. Last year it was my sister missing, and this year she is with us on Bainbridge to celebrate the fourth. 

Bainbridge Island, Washington has a very special celebration of July 4th and it is another reason why I love this holiday. B.I. brings back the love of small town America every day but especially on the 4th with it's annual July 3rd street dance and beer garden and then following that with a July 4th parade, 5k run and vendors! I love being back on Bainbridge to celebrate another independence year.

This year my family is having a party after the 4th of July crazyness downtown. We are having a get together with old friends that most of us haven't seen in a few years. This party is featuring horseshoe throwing, badminton playing, beer drinking, watermelon and other food eating good time.  

Lastly we are all taking another family photo as it is one of the few times we will all be together. 

So remember that not only are we celebrating the birth of our great nation, but we are celebrating love and fun with family, friends (new and old,) pets, neighbors and whole communities! July 4th is a celebration bringing everyone together-- after all that is what America is all about! 

FOOD for thought

Sometimes I dislike how far away I live from people that I care so much about like really good friends. Why do I bring this up? I have felt recently, (well in the last two days) that I haven't been the greatest friend to one of my best friend's Sarah. A tragic event happened to someone she cared so deeply for a month ago and I didn't know about till now. Grant it I was in Europe when it happened so I guess I have a little bit of lee way but still I should've known about this awful event and been there for Sarah.  She lives in Texas and I live in Utah and yet I feel so far away.  I feel millions of miles away to be exact. 

I dislike how life gets to be so busy to the point where we get lost, entangled or consumed in our everyday lives.  We sometimes forget about what is important like old friends who live in different parts or distant family.  We sometimes forget to check up on those we love so much that live afar. Sometimes we just need to put our feet on the brakes and take a second to tell those important to us no matter where they are how much we love them and care for them.  If we don't remember to do this, then the next time we blink it could be all over.  WE might not get another chance to say "I love you" to a friend, a significant other, a husband or wife, a pet, a neighbor, a teacher or anyone else that we 

really do love. 

I vow from this day forward to keep in touch and express my love to those people in my life that sometimes get neglected do to my everyday life consumption. I vow to be actively involved and engaged in my friends' lives- the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly. I also vow to see friends that live afar once a year at the minimum so they can see how much I love them. 

For all of you that have lost contact with an old friend...call them, email them or send them a card expressing how much you miss them, care for them and love them! Because tomorrow you might not have that chance. Take advantage of this present moment to express your love! 

Much love to all,

Jenna