Every year on the 4th of July, all of my mom's side of the family get together in Kanarraville for a fun celebration. The morning starts off with a patriotic parade. As a kid, I would talk about how we were going to decorate our float for months in advance. The small three minute parade was the highlight of the day. After the parade there is a talent show for anyone to participate in. For as long as I can remember, a group of girls who are a bit older than me would get up and play their fiddles. I was so in awe by them and actually motivated to begin playing the violin myself. When you are little, you tend to look up to the older girls and think they are so cool! haha. In the afternoon, there is always games and races at the park. In the evening, there is a fun dance where it is very interesting to see my dad's "cool" moves haha. Now that I am older, I still love this holiday. I love celebrating our country's freedom and spending time with my family.
Throughout my life, I have always desired freedom. As a child, age sixteen could not come soon enough. I wanted to be able to drive and go to the mall anytime I pleased. Throughout my teenage years, I would yearn for the weekends and crave the feeling of summer. School was tiring and I just wanted to be able to hang out with my friends. I also wanted to have access to my cell phone and car… which was rare considering my seminary attendance! haha. Most of all, I wanted freedom.
Having this strong desire for freedom is not rare. Freedom is something that has been sought after for ages. In the United States, freedom of speech is included in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights, which was added to the Constitution in 1791. In result of this, everyone is able to speak their opinion without censorship or restraint. In addition, the First Amendment prohibits the making of any law impeding on the free exercise of religion. I am so beyond thankful for my religious freedom. By virtue to my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I am free. By making righteous choices, we can be free from the bondages of financial struggles, addictions, teen pregnancies, STDs, and many more issues that are in our society today. I am so blessed to have been raised in a church full of freedom.
