Life Without a To Do List

I used to be a serious planner, making not only daily To Do Lists but also contingency plans for every possibility. I spent more time planning than any other activity. They were my last thoughts at night, fine tuning and revising, repeating with paper and pencil in the morning. On busy days I told people I’d gone from Plan A, past Plan G, and beyond.

Some planning is necessary, but not to the depth I had taken it. It was an attempt at control, an illusion that If I planned it, I could control the outcome. My plans had become idols. I thought more of them than anything else, even prayer.

And The Rocket's Red Glare, the Bombs Bursting in Air - Right Over My House

It happens every year, beginning several days before the holiday, but really winds up on the 3^rd and the 4^th. Last night I imagined I was standing aboard ship with Francis Scott Key until dawn’s early light. 

I don’t complain, but it does wreck my sleep for a few nights. This year we also delayed picking up our new puppy until the 6^th. (Yes, my neighbor’s exuberance lasts five days.) The breeder kindly agreed to the postponement. He lives out in the country, away from the usual celebrations attached to this holiday, and we all deemed it safer for our pup.

Next year, we will have little Cooper conditioned to loud noises and our neighbor’s fun won’t bother him. We did this with all of our previous Brittanys and loud noises never bothered them. They ignored thunder, gunshots, and fireworks, except our first, Rusty. When the rockets would go off, he would run to the window to watch. 

 In general, I have great neighbors, and I don’t begrudge them their twice a year celebrations. (New Year’s is almost as rambunctious as the 4^th.) And, I am only mildly complaining. Each rocket that shook the house reminded me of our freedoms, hard won by the blood and sacrifices of brave men and women. From our Founding Fathers to our current volunteer armed forces, we owe a great debt. 

It is sad to know many no longer remember the reason behind this holiday, and others, such as Memorial Day and Veteran’s day. We need to keep our heritage alive, never let it slide away, forgotten. Our freedom came at too high a price to forget. 

So, as each rocket bursts through the sky over my house, I will remember Francis Scott Key and the reason he penned our national anthem. A few hours of lost sleep is small sacrifice. 

May our flag always fly over this land, and may we never, never forget why we celebrate.