Celebrate Your Independence!

By Mirah W. (mwelday)

Chances are some of you have seen the email that makes the rounds this time of year that describes what happened to the men who signed our Declaration of Independence.  Some of it is true, some is merely based on fact, and some is just inaccurate.  But one thing is true: the men who signed the Declaration put themselves at risk.  Some of them did lose their property, assets and even their own freedom.  When I consider my life today I am thankful to live in a society where I have the freedom to speak my mind and stand up for my beliefs and not risk my life in doing so.  I am thankful to live without someone else controlling the decisions I make.

But freedom is not free.  Currently, our nation depends on 1% of our population to protect our freedoms.  This is a big responsibility for a few brave souls.  These sailors, airmen and soldiers live with uncertainty, separations from family, relocations and stress we can’t fathom.  And they take on these challenges voluntarily.  They sacrifice for 99% of us every day of their service.

This year for Independence Day I challenge you to live your life to its fullest.  Celebrate your independence!  Show the signers of our Declaration and the 1% who protect our freedoms that their efforts are not in vain.  Place an American flag in front of your home.  Wear red, white or blue.  Do something you’ve always wanted to do but didn’t have the courage.  Read a book.  Watch a fireworks show.  Spend time with your family and friends. Go to the beach and listen to the waves.  Watch a marathon of your favorite television show. Thank a member of our Armed Forces for his or her service.

Whatever you choose to do with your day, remember there are millions of people in the world who don’t get the simple choices we take for granted every day.  Celebrate!  The men who signed the Declaration of Independence over 200 years ago would want you to do nothing less!

by Lois N. (Booklover57)

Dixie, New Year’s Eve 1970

Way back in 2006, a request was made to me for a James Patterson book.  It was from Dixie in Texas.  About a week later, I made a request for a book from Dixie….and so our friendship began.

We started corresponding, first on the PBS site and then via personal emails.  We quickly became fast friends.  Our friendship continued over the years but the distance between our homes, me in NY and Dixie in Texas, made it difficult for us to communicate other than an occasional phone call.

Dixie’s 79th birthday, with her daughter Sandie

Our friendship grew as we each shared our lives. We shared our children’s trials and tribulations, sicknesses and marriages and even some sad occasions.

Dixie’s beloved dog Missy

More than most, we talked about our beloved pets.

The years went on and we continued our friendship, until we realized we’d both be in Las Vegas at the same time.  Once we discovered that, there was no question that we’d find a way to meet in person. That meeting took place just last week on May 9th, 2013.  We met at the Texas Station hotel and had a wonderful lunch together.  I got to meet Dixie’s two daughters and she was able to meet my 3 friends (who she already knew through my emails).  It was a great afternoon and something we’d looked forward to for many, many years.

As happy as this story is…there is a very sad note to it.  I returned from Las Vegas on Sunday and on Monday morning found an email from Dixie’s daughter…shockingly, Dixie had passed away on May 12th, Mother’s Day.

This was a blow to me as I had just had the pleasure of meeting her and now she’s gone.

I will miss her everyday as there was not a day that we did not communicate.

This is the a photo of Dixie and I at our lunch last week (she’s on the left and that’s me on the right).

Thank you PBS for giving me the opportunity to make a wonderful friend!

Note from the PaperBackSwap Team: Dixie D. (Dip) first joined PaperBackSwap on 2/20/2006. In a bit over 6 years, she mailed over 900 books! Dixie, we miss you too!