Let Freedom Ring

[^yes, my intention was to get Martina McBride's voice stuck in your head for the rest of the day]

With it being Veteran's Day I thought it would be suiting to blog about Freedom. Freedom comes in many different forms. From the freedom that our soldier's fight for to the freedom that a woman (or man) feels when she(he) finally escapes an unhealthy relationship. It can be the feeling you get when all of your roommates are gone for the weekend or it can be the different rights that we vote to have (or not have) on Election Day. One thing that is common between all of these different versions of freedom is that freedom is good (unless you are scared to be home alone, which in that case, I am sorry).

We don't think about our freedoms on a regular basis because it is so second nature for us to have them. Especially at this age, when I've already gained the freedom that comes with having a drivers license and having the freedom to walk into a bar without a fake license.

It's days like today & 4th of July that really remind me just how lucky I am to have all the freedoms that I do have. It's hard to imagine that there are still people around the world that have little control over what they can wear, say, do, etc.

People are quick to blame the US government for all the bad things that may be occurring, but we so easily forget all of the positive things that the government does provide us with on a daily basis. For instance, there may be problems with the universal healthcare that has been recently put into place, but how amazing it is that our country is trying to give each and every one of us access to healthcare in the first place?

I am so blessed to have been born in a country where we have little (to no) worry of a world war taking place on our soil. I am so blessed, as a female, to have been able to earn a college education. I am so blessed to have the right to express myself through my clothing and hairstyle (regardless of how un-edgy it may be, haha). I am so blessed to be able to access the internet and have the opportunity to blog about my freedoms right at this very moment.

 I am about to go get into a car to go to the library to return a book & then to the post office to drop off a letter, and for that I know I am also so very blessed.

Never will we have enough thanks for the people, both past and present, that have made this all happen. The soldiers, the [good] politicians, the citizens that have joined together to create change.

With it being Veteran's Day, I want to give a special thanks to the military men and women around the world that put in hard work and long hours in order for us to be able to go about our daily lives with all the freedoms that we have. Years ago I signed up to be a pen pal through a military pen pal program (Soldiers Angels) and I could not thank those young men and women enough for all that they have done, not to mention all they had given up in order to serve our country across seas. I feel honored to have been able to cross paths with these courageous people, as well as having relatives that have also stood up to the challenge. Today, and other days, I think of you guys and feel forever grateful to have known such amazing people.

With love, xo, Kaila