The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Count The Cost, Be Grateful

By Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor/Publisher

5 July 2000

Early on July the 4th, I jumped on the treadmill and turned on the TV to watch the Early Morning Shows on channel 4, 6, and 8.

As I tried to get my stiff body awake with exercise, I watched with great interest the swearing-in ceremony for new immigrants who were going through ceremonies to become United States citizens.

Of course, the ceremony was much more elaborate knowing it was the 4th of July and that the whole country was watching on television.

At the same time, I couldn't help but think what it meant to each of these people who, for the first time, were going to be United States citizens, and what they had to go through to get this opportunity.

For most of us, we were born privileged and it was our forefathers who paid the price for us.

As a small New York Harlem choir sang the most beautiful version of the National Anthem, television crews in helicopters showed the Statue of Liberty and many famous ships sailing near Ellis Island on this Independence Day.

One young lady said she wanted to be a United States citizens to have freedom. She was very excited after the ceremony.

All of the new citizens were led in the pledge of the Allegiance to the United States flag for their first time as its citizens as the news commentators led them.

Later in the day, after the Sr. Legion's second baseball game was rained out in Orion, a man on the radio station was commenting on the signing of The Declaration of Independence.

He said it was a very solemn affair and that many of the men who signed it that day thought they would probably be killed for their actions and most likely never be around to enjoy the freedom they so longed for.

Opportunities are all around us. All we have to do is work for them, or change what we are doing and try a different avenue.

We have that kind of freedom in America, and, most of us were just born with it and we take it for granted.

I know I do.

I sleep well at night, for I know I am safe.

I know our armed forces are keeping watch, our news media are keeping watch, too, and our local police force is protecting us from each other as people take all of this freedom for granted.

I am hoping when we roll out of bed in the morning, we all stop to take a look at this America God has given us and be grateful.

Think what it would be like to be an immigrant.

A man who was on TV with Michael Fox said he had a new perspective on life after being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.

He was saved because he has his PSA level checked annually. This time it was elevated, but caught in time.

He thought he had lost everything, but he has gained it all back and he is so grateful. His family, his life, his country.

Isn't it a shame so many take for granted their blessings in America. Be grateful.