When I was in elementary school, I wasn’t fond of science class until we were introduced to hands-on learning. I remember one of my favorite exercises was gathering fireflies in a jar to study their blinking bodies. I also learned that during the larval stage or winter, fireflies hibernate. Some burrow underground, while others can be found under the bark of trees. When they emerge in the spring, they feed on insects, snails, and worms. If you were lucky, you would have that special teacher that brings learning to life, making the impossible seem possible, and making the uninteresting, interesting. During the 12 years we spend in undergraduate studies, most of us only find a handful of teachers who have that gift. They know how to teach that subject, so it becomes a lifelong love for the student.
In my junior year, I had such a teacher, Mr. Watts, who taught American History. His students were disappointed when the class bell rang to switch classes – he was mesmerizing and thought-provoking at the same time. The civil war came alive. We felt both exasperation and sympathy for the families who lived through that era. Many movies have now been cast, which allows us a better understanding of that horrific war.
Reflecting on the wars and conflicts during my life, beginning with the Cuban Missile Crisis, experiencing the social issues and aftermath of the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Invasion of Iraq, and now the most prolonged U.S. involvement in the War in Afghanistan, I realize the price our country, men and women have paid for our freedom. Our freedoms in the United States allow us to make choices and changes in our lives if wanted or needed. A privilege we shouldn’t take for granted. If you’ve had the opportunity to speak with others who have come to the US on a work or school visa, you hear them talk about the great freedoms granted to us. They plan to work hard to achieve the American Dream and excellent education for their families.
I now reside in the Houston, Texas, area currently the fourth largest city in the United States and the most diverse city in our country. Because of this diversity, we constantly meet families and neighbors that have moved here to work and live in this country built on freedom. As we approach our annual celebration of freedom, the Fourth of July, let us all remember what a blessing it is to reside in the United States of America. Happy 4th of July, and please be safe over the holidays!