Angi Aymond

I have ridden planet Earth 61 glorious trips around the sun. Ok. Sixty-one trips, not all so glorious! I am still very much a work in progress. Oh, I’ve done some hard heart work to be sure. I’m eons from where I used to be. But there is much more to be done. And yet, I celebrate this version of me every February 10.

I have been married for nearly 41 years, and that imperfect union is still a work in progress as well — requiring surrender, forgiveness, and grace. We’ve had seasons of greatness and some we wish we could forget. But my husband and I acknowledge both, while celebrating our anniversary every August 2nd.

I have three beautiful adult daughters — who when they were growing up and even a bit now —have kept my color stylist busy and my knees calloused — for each of them is still a work in progress. And you know what? I celebrate their births and lives with candles and cake, just the same. Every year.

So today, on this Fourth of July, I can soberly acknowledge the imperfections of my country — its history, as well as its current state. I’m not celebrating a particular party or leader.  If that was my gauge? Heck!! I’d only celebrate as my party’s winds blew. When things went my way. But that would be a weak gauge.

I’m choosing to celebrate her people, her growth, her repentance, her freedom, and her future potential.

Our country was an experiment from its conception — a republic  born of imperfect people with dreams for a different kinds of life. And yes, it took too long for the words crafted on paper to ring true for all people. But it did finally ring.

No country is greater than the sum of her people. And well, she is filled with imperfect people.

She (we) is a work in progress. Still.

Friends, we are all works in progress, requiring process. Without exception. We should all be doing  heart work — peeling back the ugly, allowing God’s love to change us.

But let us not determine that our process prohibits celebration.

So, on this milestone Fourth of July — 250 years of Independence — let’s make cakes and light the big candles.

Happy Birthday, America!