Kicking this back to the top. Happy Independence Day! — GSS
Our wedding anniversary today. I’ve always thought that the best way to celebrate the things that really matter in life is to do the things that really matter in life, so I’m spending the afternoon and evening with my best-beloved, but I have a home inspection to attend to this morning. To work is to live, and, in Phoenix or in Las Vegas, we’ve always worked on our anniversary. On top of everything else, it’s a symbol of who we are together, why we work so well together.
Meanwhile, here is my favorite Independence Day clip, the fireworks scene from Moscow on the Hudson:
Missy Caulk says:
Happy Anniversary Greg and God bless America.
July 4, 2010 — 7:34 am
James Malanowski says:
A bit ironic that Independence Day is your wedding anniversary 😉
Congrats and wishes of many more happy years for you and your bride. Enjoy your holiday (and your anniversary) in whatever way brings you joy.
July 4, 2010 — 11:24 am
Greg Swann says:
> A bit ironic that Independence Day is your wedding anniversary
To the contrary. I can’t imagine any greater expression of egoism and individualism than to pledge my love and loyalty to the person who has been most loving and most loyal to me — all this on the same day that a few very admirable people pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to the ideal of political individualism. I wish I could say that I’ve always lived up to the meaning of this day in my marriage, but the best days of my life with Cathleen coincide perfectly — and, obviously, not coincidentally — with the days when we’re both doing our best to live up to the promises we made to each other on Independence Day. I do get the joke, but marriage, despite its being a state-monopolized institution, is a mutually-voluntrary commitment, a trade of the highest human values. We were married on Independence Day not in spite of philosophy but as the best possible expression of it.
July 4, 2010 — 12:08 pm
James Malanowski says:
Oh, and BTW, the video has been removed from YouTube for copyright violations …
July 4, 2010 — 11:26 am
Greg Swann says:
> the video has been removed from YouTube for copyright violations …
That was fast. Stupid, too. It’s a good ad for the DVD or PPV version of the film.
Linked from here at higher resolution.
July 4, 2010 — 11:57 am
James Malanowski says:
Thanks for sharing. You’re right … Great clip. Funny how immigrants/naturalized citizens know and respect the foundations of our country better than those who were born here.
I never truly got it myself until I attended my wife’s swearing-in ceremony when she finally went through the naturalization process.
Being in a room with 3000+ new citizens saying the Pledge of Allegiance, hearing the National Anthem, and watching a video of all the greatness our Country makes possible was an amazing experience and one that I will never forget.
It made me appreciate our Country more and to this day I am a better person for it.
July 4, 2010 — 12:10 pm
James Malanowski says:
“We were married on Independence Day not in spite of philosophy but as the best possible expression of it.”
Knowing you through your writings over the years, the dates don’t surprise me at all … I just couldn’t help but crack the joke. 😀
Keep up your expressions of independence, good sir. We are all the better for it.
July 4, 2010 — 12:19 pm
Alex Cortez says:
Happy 4th of July and Anniversary, Gregg. By the way, loving the “Reasons to be cheerful” series.
July 4, 2010 — 6:28 pm
Don Reedy says:
“We hold these truths to be self evident, that Greg and Cathleen were created equal…..”
But by your actions you’ve stretched the chains of that equality, started fireworks of your own, and for many your lives are the “clip” that best personifies Independence.
Happy 4th to you both!
July 4, 2011 — 2:40 pm