A Virginia Fourth of July

 We attended our first Monticello Independence Day naturalization ceremony with several hundred other people. After the reading of the Declaration of Independence, penned by Mr. Jefferson himself, of course, there was much flag-waving as 72 people took the oath of citizenship. I was touched by their unique accounts of their personal journeys towards citizenship.

The weather was perfect, not at all as harsh as an average Virginia summer day, though the sun was bright. Our kids held it together, retreating to the cool grass to escape the sun. They also made it through with back rubs and free bottled water circulating through the rows of people.

 It felt good to be immersed in such rich patriotism so early in the day. I feel proud of my citizenship and responsible to participate in every process of government I am blessed to have access to.

 We snapped photos of ourselves in our red, white and blue. 

Later in the day we drove to northern Virginia, to old Manassas to enjoy their Indpendence Day celebration. Along with perhaps a couple thousand other people we picnicked on the lawn of the Manassas Museum, played tag, and treated ourselves to kettle corn. 

All was right in the universe for me to take lots of photos of E. His patriotic stripes made this unavoidable and he played along.

 J also jumped into a few shots, too.

 But it was A who had the most fun. She listened to about three songs being played by the jazz band before deciding she couldn't sit on the picnic blanket all evening.

I was happy to join her, but she wasn't satisfied with my partnering. She recruited her brothers to join. Just when I was about to say "don't worry, nobody's watching" to coax them to the dance floor she blurted out "it's so awesome because everybody is looking at you." 

 This is what she was talking about. She wasn't intimidated in the least to be visible to so many.

 Sometime around 8:30 the band finished their last set and everyone turned their chairs to the adjacent football stadium. It was at this point I realized how much I love patriotic music (like "Comin' to America"), and, though fireworks aren't my favorite thing, in a group of American this big it's hard not to be overwhelmed with gratitude for my country. I'm so grateful for the Fourth of July to remind me of the power of national unity.