I Pledge Allegiance . . .

Well, it's hard to believe that February is nearly over ... and my last blog was on Feb. 1!! I am terrible at this. But I believe in the old adage, "if you don't have something nice to say, say nothing." In this case, it's more "I don't have anything to say"! But today I do.

In the past 6 days I have given 3 presentations and at each location I had the opportunity to face the American flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Yesterday, when I again put my hand over my heart and said those words, repeated throughout my life so many times, it occurred to me that most people, as adults, rarely have the chance to repeat that Pledge. When I was in school, each day was started with that oath. But once we reach adulthood, unless we belong to an organization that includes that recognition of our freedom and liberties, we probably do not have occasion to remind ourselves of what that flag represents. I am grateful to have, as my occupation, one that allows me so many opportunities to repeat the Pledge and think of what it means.

This month was one in which we paid special tribute to our past Presidents with a holiday, originally setup to combine the birthday recognitions of Lincoln and Washington, but now arranged more as a time to celebrate a day off from work and special prices at everything from appliance to pet stores. I thought how sad it is that our holidays designed to recognize the importance of our freedoms and honor those who stood for them and, in many cases, died for them, have been reduced to days off work and specials at merchandise establishments.

Just some thoughts I've had of late and a feeling of thankfulness when I face the flag and recite that Pledge I learned originally so many, many years ago.