EDITORIALLY SPEAKING: Is Our Outlook Bleak this 4th of July?
By Kay Boothe
Editor
It’s been a rough few weeks, no doubt about it. But it has also been pretty inspiring as well.
We saw the passing of notable community leaders, and an outpouring of love and memories that gave us pause to smile in our grief.
We saw the closing of our hospital and a health clinic, and a gathering of prayer for solution and peace that has spread across the county.
We saw the family and friends of a woman whose body was discovered on a county road, through the diligence of police, begin the process of closure through the arrest of her alleged murderer.
We saw a young life end, due to accident, and we saw a community gather together and through donations and the hard work of his peers, garner the money needed to provide his burial. We are one of the poorest counties in the state, but we raised what was needed together. That’s as it should be.
We started the 4th of July festivities off Saturday night on the Civic Center grounds. When Nicol Media was approached with doing this again, there wasn’t a lot of thought, just a resounding “Yes.”
As the day drew nearer and all of these horrible things were going on, there was some uncertainty as to whether anyone would feel like attending.
Well, feel like it they did! People came out in droves, parked on the civic center grounds, around the loop, in the park and in their yards. Thousands gathered to watch a spectacular fireworks display, talk to their neighbors, and watch the kids play.
Towards the end of the fireworks display, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” began to play on both the loud speakers and on KIVY for those in their cars or homes. That was pretty amazing. It started slowly but soon it was obvious that people were singing along with it. Yep, that was a goose bump moment.
It was a reminder, and a very timely one at that. Things don’t always go our way. Bad things happen to good people.
But allow us to gather, either in body or spirit?
We are formidable and strong. We will weather what storms come our way, and help our neighbor do the same.
We are all blessed to be living in the greatest country this world has ever known.
That greatness doesn’t come from our national leaders or political parties, it comes from us. It comes from our willingness to step-up and do, not only what is asked, but what is needed.
So try not to fall into the pit of gloom most cable news and Facebook seems to be pushing us.
“The Big Picture” will take care of itself. The details of that “Big Picture” that are comprised by our community and those like it are beautiful. And what is a “Big Picture” but a conglomeration of small details?
We have been through worse. We have survivied and thrived. This is a great county. It is a wonderful place to call home. And together, with others like us, we make a GREAT country.
Lee Greenwood was right. There ain’t no doubt I love this land, God Bless the USA….
