Freedoms

Continuing in Cousin Barbie's book, I opened to a page entitled "Freedoms I Hold Dear".  I confess, I inwardly rolled my eyes and thought about switching to another page -- perhaps something dealing with flowers or birds or colorful things.  :-)  I kept the page open and decided to putter around with some other projects while keeping the topic of freedoms in the back of my mind.

That's exactly what my heart needed to get my attention.  When my brain hears the word "freedom", it thinks of the 4th of July and words in the constitution (which are not bad -- just dry).  But when my heart began processing the word, it took me back to Washington, D.C. and the Holocaust Museum.  As I walked through the chronology of events in WW II Europe that were experienced by people just like me, it was impossible not to be deeply affected.  Revisiting the memory of that experience, I sensed a growing awareness of thanksgiving for the freedoms that I live with each day.  I created this page, and continued my thoughts in my journal. All week long, the lens with which I view my life has had a deeper focus as a result of this.

But wait -- there's more!  Tonight Don and I watched the movie The Book Thief, which just happens to take place in WW II Germany.  Without giving away any of the plot, I can tell you it is a powerful story about loss, redemption, trust, friendship, family, love and freedom.  Have you ever gotten to the end of a movie and you are watching the credits and not moving because you just want to hold onto what you have just experienced in the movie?  I don't experience that often, but this is one of those movies.  

Whether you watch a movie, make a list, journal, or just look at life a little differently, I hope you are moved to a place of thankfulness for the freedoms you enjoy.