“Mom, why do we celebrate the fourth of July?” As we watched the fireworks going off in our hometown. “Well, we were once ruled by people across the sea. But we wanted our own freedoms and government that was ours. Not some people telling us what to do who didn’t really see us or know what was going on. We also celebrate for the people who protect our freedoms from people that want to do us harm.” “Like bad guys?” “Yes. Like bad guys.”
As she looked down on her son, she could tell he still seemed confused by what she said. “Is something wrong?” “I guess I don’t understand. What freedoms?” “That’s a bit tougher to explain. There are a lot of them. For example freedom of speech” “Some people aren’t allowed to talk?” “Well, they can talk, but not everyone can say their opinion. Or write their thought about something.” “Does that mean I can tell you I don’t like cooked peas.” “Well yes. But I’m still your mom. I’m going to still make you eat them.” “Yuk! What other freedoms are there?”
“We get to vote for the people that are supposed to represent us. Like the president or the governor. As well as right to a trial.” Once again noticing a confused look she started to elaborate. “See a lot of countries just put a person there to rule over everyone. And what that person says goes. Sometimes these people are not very nice. We have to elect a person. That means the majority of people have to agree to them. And they can only stay there for so long.” “I see. What’s the trial thing?” “That’s if you do get accused of doing something bad, you have a group of people that decide if you did it or not.” “Why does that matter?” “Because in some countries they just send you to jail and you can’t even explain yourself or say you didn’t do it.” “Really? Even if you didn’t do it?” “Even if you didn’t do it.”
“So I heard some people talking once about giving arms to bears? Is that part of it?” “Well yes. But they are not giving arms to bears. It’s the right to bear arms. This is supposed to be to protect us. If bad people try to get to us or try to take over the government.”
“I see. Mom. I didn’t know that we were so lucky. I thought everyone got to do the same things as us. I feel sad for them. I hope someday everyone gets to do the same things Mom.” “Me too, sweetie.”
Kneeling on the ground, the women pulled her hand back from the military tombstone that lay before her. A tear rolled down her cheek. She remembered the conversation she had with her son very vividly. And she knew exactly what he hoped to do.
Over the smell of barbecue and the crackle of fireworks a smile came to her face. She could hear children laughing in the back ground. “We are lucky aren’t we.”
Until next time.