We wish for freedom.

Happy 4th of July and Independence Day! I personally love the 4th of July. It’s the one holiday where anyone and everyone can be patriotic, without judgement-instead of trying to be a cool hipster who opposes everything the government stands for.

Instead of viewing this holiday as an excuse to drink and not work, let’s take a look at what it really means to celebrate our independence.

Our freedom means young men and women giving up their best years to fight for a country that sometimes doesn’t support them, and even despises them upon their homecoming. Some return with physical and mental scars they care not talk about, memories they wished they could forget and feelings of regret for what they had to do.

Our freedom means wives and daughters seeing the leader of their home in uniform, packing up, saying goodbye for months on end, or maybe even forever.

It means moving on without that man during those months, continuing on with life and trying not to worry every second of every day that something might happen.

My freedom means attending a Veteran’s Church service and seeing men and women with crutches, missing limbs, wheelchair-but standing there praising the Lord. It’s humbling and continues to make me cry.

Our freedom comes with a high price-and if I’m honest, one I’m not sure that I’m willing to pay myself. I am thankful for the men and women of this country who are more selfless than I am-who have risked it all so that I can sit on my back porch, drink my coffee and write about them.

God-please-still bless America.

Proud to be an American and to be in love with Balki

I am reminded of the cost of my freedom when I read the headlines of a young man giving his life for me, for you, for us. I have been all over the world, and I readily say that I am thankful for my country and grateful for where I live.
Touring with Biceps has afforded me the opportunity to see my country’s most valued treasures up close and personal, always grounding what I otherwise might take for granted.

I stood underneath Lady Liberty, our size comparison was that of:
me=flea, she=oak tree. From the bottom of her base to the tip of her torch, she is 305+ feet tall. That’s one huge statue. Those little white things in the bottom of the photo are sea gulls.
Given to us by the French in 1886; Lady Liberty has literally become the face of America.

She has seen many wars, diseases, presidents, terrorist attacks and pop stars.
Lady Liberty is a constant reminder to us Americans, that we are a strong and united country, craving our freedom and our Justin Bieber.

My ancestors, Biceps ancestors and many others held their breath, hoping to see her face as they approached New York and the New World.
I believe it was at this moment, Balki Bartokomous knew he had arrived, ready to find his Cousin Larry.

To every man and woman that has sacrificed their lives, their jobs, and their reputations to maintain my country’s freedom-thank you. Thank you Dad, Uncle Bill, Uncle Kelly, Keith, Jacob and countless others for joining the Armed forces and keeping me safe. And thank you, Balki, for changing the lives of my family every Friday night when you performed your dance of joy or your Bibi Babkas song.

America, Land of the Free and Home of the Brave and Balki.