With Freedom’s Light and Voice

My country, ‘ tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountainside let freedom ring!

It is election day in a democratic country. Of all days in the United States, it is one to reflect on our liberty and freedom. Given to us by our forefathers after a hard-fought battle, liberty and freedom of voice, choice, faith and the ability to live our lives in equality is a constitutional right for all. Without suppression. Ideals that are my continued hope and prayer.

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free, thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills, like that above.

I have lived here in Wisconsin all of my life, not veering much from a 40 mile radius of home and work. I have traveled that radius and on the roads of the state and country, witnessing its beauty in landscape – across the tassled corn fields of Indiana, wooded hills of maple, oak and pine along the Mississippi River, the purple mountains majesty in Colorado, the oceans’ turquoise waters, and the azure skies of everything in between. God and Mother Nature have made this land like no other, with the power of their love and embracing spirit.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees sweet freedom’s song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.

It’s time to speak freedom in a vote, allowing action to sing the song of democracy. If we breathe in this country, we cannot be silent. Duty calls, no matter your opinion or choice. Patriotism is love for all citizens, not just for self or a specific few; it is the command to honor and respect the well-being of our nation without ridicule, threats or violence. Be peaceful and thoughtful in your vote. Allow others to do the same.

Our fathers’ God, to thee,
Author of liberty, to thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With freedom’s holy light;
Protect us by thy might, great God, our King.

I pray to God for unity and peace; respect and love; for a land that is bright with smiling faces and hearts filled with hope. I desire a light to shine on this country that reflects care and concern for all – the sick and dying, the oppressed and downtrodden, the elderly, the poor and jobless, individuals and families that struggle with addiction or mental illness, and others who are financially and spiritually stressed. We must turn our attention to helping each other and our beautiful land with insight and compassion, letting no man, woman or selfish desire stand in our way.

No matter the outcome of the election, it is my hope that we can individually find a way forward that will lead us to the same end, where we allow freedom to ring, unity to conquer and democracy to thrive.

---

From Wikipedia: “America (My Country, ‘Tis of Thee)” is an American patriotic song, the lyrics of which were written by Samuel Francis Smith. The melody used is the same as that of the national anthem of the United Kingdom, “God Save the Queen.” The song served as one of the de facto national anthems of the United States before the adoption of “The Star Spangled Banner” as the official U.S. national anthem in 1931.”