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Blog Entry 98 of 124 Bad Mom
I call myself Bad Mom because at the time I came up with it, I was learning about the assumptions we put behind our words. I was following the pattern of not believing that my kids are okay, and speaking to them from that basis. I changed that, and it made a big difference. I am from Utah and my people are still living there. My husband was in the Air Force and we rattled around until we saw Colorado, and we stuck.

4th of July musings
Contributed by: Lisa Arata   on 7/4/2008

What does it mean to be an American?

Yes--to be an equally-valued member of a society where people can free themselves of unjust rule. Theoretically, anyway. Or with enough focused intention.

But here's an honest answer too.

Being an American means feeling free, in a broad sense. Feeling like the world around you supports you and is enough. It means, for just a minute you have a lot of fantastic opportunities and a proud history you can take for granted. (But only for a minute until you realize how many people hate our liberty and want to cripple us.)

The 4th of July memories that come to mind:

1975, sitting on the porch of my friend's house in Linden, Utah, watching a full moon rise over Mt. Timpanogos.

1979 on a camping trip in Southern Utah, singing songs we knew that mentioned a state or city. Carolina in the Pines was one of them. If you're going to San Francisco, and many others came to mind. Man, there were swarming clouds of no-see-ums but we had a good time nonetheless.

1981 in Sweden, seeing expats flying American flags from their apartment windows, being unable to explain what it meant to me that I was proud of my country, but feeling it.

Sweden had a different emanating wavelength that was really beautiful and sweet and old.

The Swedish culture gave us the concept of the "domsstola," which was basically the seat of judgment, where a person could have an impartial trial. We owe a lot of our greatness to contributions like that made through the ages.

In Sweden it was considered trashy and vulgar to have a big car painted a bright color--but there are Swedes who are big muscle car fans, andI'd have liked to meet them but they were, well, typical closed-mouth, Swedes.

1986 in Logan, Utah. I was a college student. My bf and I were hanging out at the rented home of some friends (who now live in Fort Collins) and there was a magnificent lightening storm with colors. That Jonathan Edwards song, Shanty, was playing on the hi-fi.

I have to go ride my bike to the parade. Have a nice fourth, a memorable one, filled with peace, in which you have a moment to take this country and all its riches of spirit for granted, okay?



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Submitted By: Michael Rule
posted on 7/5/2008 @ 8:29:07 AM
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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Lisa Arata

Greeley , CO

Lisa Arata has posted 124 blog entries and 174 comments since joining on 4/18/2007. Lisa Arata 's average blog rating is 4.79.
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