What It Means To Be Free

Today I was sitting here, thinking about what was, what is, and what is yet to come.
About lost friends, lost loves, lost people.
The ever growing agony of war abroad, intolerance and hatred.
How some fear taking a trip to the market, or a family outing to a park.
Or just going to work to earn a living so ones family can eat everyday and have shelter, clean water or electricity, or the simple freedom to say what they feel or believe what they want.

Everyday someone in America burns a flag, protests in the street, rails at a leader, or screams at a citizen.

But the reality is that I never fear a trip to the grocery where I can buy what I choose. I manage to earn a living, mostly in peace. I have always fed my family, and enjoyed the places of peace in our parks and forests.
When I have chosen, I have moved to where I wanted to live, changed jobs, or learned what I wanted to learn.

Though with faults and tribulations,
Some pain and grief,

I still am lucky, proud to call myself an American.
And though many might find constant fault.
I am still here to write and talk and share.

I am alive when thousands have fallen long before their time.

Thank you America, for allowing me to be free.