Many many years ago I saw the musical “1776.” It takes you through the whole range of emotion. You know how it ends and yet you are on edge the whole time wondering if it will actually happen. You laugh. You reflect. You cry. It’s truly a beautiful musical. I cry every time I see it or hear certain of the songs.

What those men did, it was truly a miracle. To form a new nation the way they did, to have the courage to try, to sacrifice, and even to compromise, their vision was incredible. But they were also men, men with faults and flaws, just as we all are.

Do we still have their vision? Are we here? Do we see what they saw? Can we look past flaws to the courage and sacrifice being made by others? Do we have that same courage? Their vision of the future determined our present. What is our vision of the future? I pray it will be just as courageous.

Happy Independence Day!