Tag Archives: freedom

July 2, 2026 · 8:00 AM

My Declaration of Dependence

Every Fourth of July, I look forward to the fireworks. There’s something about watching the night sky burst with color that never gets old. As a little girl, it was all about the excitement. As I’ve gotten older, it has become a reminder to pause and reflect on what freedom really means.

This year feels especially meaningful as our country celebrates 250 years since the birth of our nation.

Like many Americans, I’m grateful for the freedoms we enjoy. But if life has taught me anything, it’s that there are chains no government can remove.

Fear.

Shame.

Bitterness.

Regret.

Those were the things that kept me captive far longer than I care to admit.

For years, I believed being strong meant handling everything on my own. Asking for help felt like weakness. Smiling through the pain seemed easier than admitting I was struggling. I carried burdens that were never mine to bear, convinced I could outrun my past if I just tried hard enough.

I couldn’t.

The greatest freedom I’ve ever experienced didn’t come from depending on myself. It came when I finally stopped pretending I had all the answers and placed my life in God’s hands.

That didn’t erase the painful chapters of my story. It didn’t rewrite my past. But it changed the way I carried it.

As I wrote in Running in Heels, healing isn’t about pretending the scars don’t exist. It’s about discovering that God’s grace is greater than the wounds we carry.

So while I’ll enjoy the hamburgers, watermelon, family laughter, and fireworks this Fourth of July, I’ll also be thanking God for another kind of freedom: the quiet, lasting freedom that comes from His love, His forgiveness, and His grace.

America’s founders signed a Declaration of Independence. Years ago, I made a declaration of my own. Not one of independence, but of dependence on God. It turned out to be the most freeing decision of my life.

Happy Independence Day, and may God continue to bless America.

Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
— John 8:36 (NKJV)

American flag on a mountain peak at sunrise with hikers walking along a rocky path

3 Comments

Filed under Faith, holiday

Tagged as America, Faith, freedom, Grace, gratitude, healing, hope, Independence Day, John 8:36, patriotism, reflection

May 25, 2026 · 12:00 AM

Honoring the Fallen: A Memorial Day Tribute

Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Today, we especially honor the memory of my husband’s uncle, who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving his country. He was only 27 years old. He died when his aircraft was shot down. His courage, devotion, and selflessness will never be forgotten.

Behind every gravestone is more than a hero; a beloved son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, friend, or loved one whose life touched many others. Their memory lives on in the hearts of those who loved them, and we remember them with gratitude and honor. May we never forget the price paid for the freedoms we enjoy each day.

All gave some. Some gave all.

As Scripture reminds us:

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” ~ John 15:13

Today, we also pray for the families who carry both pride and sorrow in their hearts. May God comfort those who mourn, bless the souls of the fallen, and remind us never to take their sacrifice for granted.

Freedom is never free.
Today, we remember, honor, and give thanks.
Gone, but never forgotten. 🇺🇸

Gravestone for Milton Keith McNulty, 1st Lieutenant US Marine Corps, Vietnam veteran with American flag and wreath — *The gravestone of Milton Keith McNulty (my husband’s uncle), a US Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant from Montana who served in Vietnam*

3 Comments

Filed under patriotism

Tagged as Faith, freedom, Heroes, honor, Memorial Day, military, patriotism, Remembrance, sacrifice, tribute

September 11, 2021 · 9:47 AM

I Remember

By 2001, I had worked for two years for a reputable high-end carpet cleaning company. I started out as a receptionist and was then promoted to inside sales. I sported around in a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and I’d been married for seven wonderful years. Mark had become a devoted Christian, and we attended church as a close-knit family. In April, we purchased our home in Fort Bend County, southwest of Houston. Five months later, while driving to work, my tranquil life was interrupted by distress and unexpected terror.

On September 11^th, around 7:50 in the morning, I heard on the radio that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. As soon as I arrived at the office, I flicked on the TV to see the live broadcast of a massive hole in one tower caused by the plane’s impact. Co-workers gathered around, and we couldn’t peel our eyes away from the screen. Black smoke billowed out of the building, soon engulfed by flames.

We heard what we didn’t want to hear and continued to see unbelievable images that will forever be etched in our minds. My heart plummeted as I saw a second plane hit the other tower. Buildings collapsed minutes later and we all gasped in horror knowing that hundreds—thousands—lost their lives.

That night, President Bush spoke powerful words: “Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended.”

Freedom isn’t free, I thought, and freedom is worth any cost.

I remember. Do you?

Your turn:

What is your memory of that fateful day?

I Will Never Forget

Sometimes an event occurs and time stands still.

I know I shall never forget …

September 2001:

I worked for two years for a reputable high-end floor and textile cleaning company. I started out as a receptionist and was then promoted to inside sales. I sported around in a Jeep Grand Cherokee and I’d been married for seven wonderful years. Mark had become a devoted Christian, and we attended church as a close-knit family. In April, we purchased our home southwest of Houston in Fort Bend County. Five months later, while driving to work, my tranquil life was interrupted by distress and unexpected terror.

On September 11^th, around 7:50 in the morning, I heard on the radio that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. As soon as I arrived at the office, I flicked on the TV to see the live broadcast of a massive hole in one tower caused by the plane’s impact. Co-workers gathered around and we couldn’t peel our eyes away from the screen. Black smoke billowed out of the building, soon engulfed by flames.

That night, President Bush spoke powerful words: “Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended.”

Freedom isn’t free, I thought, and freedom is worth any cost.

I thought about the word “freedom.” For the first time, in my own life, I truly felt free.

Free from my own past … Free from the clutches of loneliness. Free from wondering where the next meal was coming from. Free from being a prisoner in my own mind, a failing marriage, a broken home.

But I also knew that in a split second, a life could be gone. I experienced that harsh truth the day I lost my baby sister to a hit-and-run driver. I lived through the stark reality of nearly drowning twice as a youngster. I relived that nightmare every time my former husband abused me, and again, on the day he shot at me.

An excerpt of “Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace” – Chapter 43

Your turn:

We ALL have a story. We each have our own memories.

Your turn. What is your memory of that fateful day?

1 Comment

Filed under 911, Memorial

Tagged as 911, freedom, memoir, Memorial, personal, President George W. Bush, reflection, September 11th, Twin Towers, World Trade Center

Video

Perfect Love

1 Comment

March 2, 2017 · 7:15 PM

September 8, 2016 · 9:11 PM

I Remember

By 2001, I had worked for two years for a reputable high-end carpet cleaning company. I started out as a receptionist, and was then promoted to inside sales. I sported around in a Jeep Grand Cherokee and I’d been married for seven wonderful years. Mark had become a devoted Christian, and we attended church as a close-knit family. In April, we purchased our home southwest of Houston in Fort Bend County. Five months later, while driving to work, my tranquil life was interrupted by distress and unexpected terror.

On September 11^th, around 7:50 in the morning, I heard on the radio that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. As soon as I arrived at the office, I flicked on the TV to see the live broadcast of a massive hole in one tower caused by the plane’s impact. Co-workers gathered around and we couldn’t peel our eyes away from the screen. Black smoke billowed out of the building, soon engulfed by flames.

That night, President Bush spoke powerful words: “Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended.”

Freedom isn’t free, I thought, and freedom is worth any cost.

For the first time, in my own life, I truly felt free. Free from the clutches of loneliness. Free from wondering where the next meal was coming from. Free from being a prisoner in my own mind, my marriage, and my home. I also knew that in a split second, a life could be gone. I experienced that harsh truth the day I lost my baby sister to a hit-and-run driver. I lived through the stark reality of nearly drowning twice as a youngster. I relived that nightmare every time my former husband abused me, and again, on the day he shot at me.

(An excerpt of “Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace” – Chapter 43)

Your turn:

What is your memory of that fateful day?

8 Comments

Filed under 911, Memorial

Tagged as 911 attack, freedom, memoir, Memorial, personal, President Bush, Sept. 11, Twin Towers, World Trade Center

May 27, 2016 · 9:08 PM

Memorial Day Tribute

Memorial Day is reserved for those who can’t return a smile or a salute, not to mention the families and friends who have been left behind. We honor those American men and women who died during combat.

Freedom is NOT free.

All gave some … Some gave all. 13256452_10154233120853588_2361098276139815490_n

2 Comments

Filed under Memorial Day tribute

Tagged as Fight For Freedom, freedom, liberty, Memorial Day, sacrifice, tribute, United States Military

January 22, 2016 · 2:36 PM

My Story

One of my cousins from across the miles posed a couple of great questions, giving me food for thought. He asked:

Why do you write? And why do you write about the family?

My answer to him:

First of all, I write because I know I have a story to tell. As a kid, eventually, I discovered we were dirt poor. In my teens, looking back, I realized that I was neglected and forced to grow up too fast. I was ashamed of my childhood and bitter for being my mama’s mother. As I “matured,” settled down, married, and had children of my own, along the way, I found I was a stronger person because of some of the things that I endured as a child. Once I embraced the God of my grandparents, I became a much better person, too. NOT that I had it all together; I still had a few things to learn. But I learned it was much better to let go of the bitterness and forgive than to hold onto the junk. I also learned that I didn’t have to be a product of my environment! I could rise above the ashes like a phoenix and become so much better. That was my freedom — still is — and God has called us to liberty, not to be in prison. Sure, I made some mistakes along the way, but I also learned from them. It starts with a made-up mind! While I’ve managed to confront my past, I believe my past hasn’t spoiled me, but has prepared me for the future. I may not be perfect, but I can wipe the crud off and walk on whenever I stumble. I share my story that I might help one person, and if I have done that, then I have done a good thing, and God gets the glory.

I mention family because the little girl growing up — although she may have felt like she was all alone most times — was not an orphan and did not live on an island unto herself. There were others around who helped to nurture her in one fashion or another, even the antagonists in her story. And yes, some were heroes. She cannot tell her story without mentioning those she looked up to. For it to be truthful, she had to address some honest and raw emotions and mention the flaws — the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The story is not fiction. It is written about how she remembers the events that shaped her life as a child, a teenager, and into adulthood. All the memories do not take her to a happy place. She has had to dig deep to find them. To some, those “happy” places may be simple and insignificant, but to her, they were her lifeline.

His response:

I am keeping this to remind me what it takes to be selfless.

Thanks

I did not expect THAT answer 🙂

4 Comments

Filed under Inspirational, Memoir, Running in Heels

Tagged as Big Daddy Weave video, encouragement, forgiveness, freedom, hope, inspiration, life, memoir, personal, writing

September 9, 2015 · 10:29 PM

I’ll Never Forget 9/11

I imagine most of us remember where we were or what we were doing on September 11th, 2001.

Around 7:50 a.m. while driving to work, the morning newscast blared over the radio that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. As soon as I arrived at the office, I ran in and flicked on the TV to see the live broadcast of a massive hole in one of the towers caused by the plane’s impact minutes before. As fellow co-workers gathered in the small conference room, we couldn’t peel our eyes away from the screen. Black smoke billowed out of the building, soon engulfed by flames.

We heard what our ears didn’t want to hear and continued to see images that will forever be etched in our minds. My insides plummeted as I saw a second plane hit the other tower. Buildings collapsed minutes later, and we all gasped in horror, knowing that hundreds—thousands—lost their lives.

My heart went out to those who lost loved ones on that fatal day.

That same evening, President Bush spoke powerful words: “Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended.”

Freedom isn’t free, I thought, and freedom is worth any cost.

(Excerpt from “Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace,” chapter 43.)

May our presidents keep us free from terror, both at home and abroad.
May Almighty God keep us safe and secure in our hearts and in our homes.

photo credit: inktheworld.blogspot.com

7 Comments

Filed under Remembering 9/11/2001

Tagged as 911, freedom, memoir, Musing, September 11th, social, tradegy, Twin Towers, World Trade Center

September 14, 2013 · 12:00 PM

Remembering 9/11

I imagine most of us remember where we were or what we were doing on September 11th, 2001.

My heart went out to those who lost loved ones on that fatal day.

That same evening, President Bush spoke powerful words: “Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended.”

Freedom isn’t free, I thought, and freedom is worth any cost.

May our presidents keep us free from terror, both at home and abroad.
May Almighty God keep us safe and secure in our hearts and in our homes.