This July, I saw the baby hummingbirds in a nest by my front door develop into full grown birds. The first one sat on the edge of the nest that the mom had made a while back and assessed its 

first flight — I held my breath. She didn't enjoy that first feeling of freedom flight from the nest until one day when I was away in the valley. When I returned, there was one bird left. This hummingbird was more timid and for days, I watched and sent her thoughtful encouragement to fly free. I was again down in the valley, and presto, when I returned, the nest was empty. I now suffer from the empty nest syndrome. It is sweet and sad, however, they made it. They are experiencing freedom from their nest confinement. 

From time to time, hummingbirds (always brown) come to the feeder that I faithfully fill for them. I like to imagine that one of them may be the mom or the kids for which she and I cared. It was freedom for the birds and me — their Fourth of July celebration! 

But what about our own Rim Country Residents celebrating our freedom as Americans? Here are some of the thoughts the people shared with me: freedom requires mutual respect and freedom is not about the liberties to do anything we want. Some felt it was realizing their dreams and supporting others in theirs. For others, it meant kindness and caring for people and the earth, beliefs, opportunity to vote, personal ideas, freedom of speech, and voicing personal opinions without redress. Some felt that it meant financial stability. It could also be finally walking out of prison, changing a bad relationship, and/or a gentle walk in the park with a spectacular sunset. Many said that it was free of masks and the forced restrictions of the year-long pandemic. 

Webster describes freedom as "liberty, independence, sovereignty, rights, self-determination, self-rule, unrestraint, and autonomy.” 

Perhaps we could say our “freedom-feeling” may be a momentary experience or a long commitment to one deep core soul belief. We can be free from something or feel free when we acquire something. Things that make us feel free in the moment can change. If it is an external change, it is a prisoner of time. Change is coming and its effects can be swift like the blink of an eye. 

Deep in our hearts, when we are at peace, we are closer to real freedom as our souls are not captives of external circumstances trying to determine our sense of internal freedom. 

What did our forefathers do to give us our real freedom? They wrote the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted by the original 13 colonies — delegates of the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. (Note: Twelve of the 13 colonies approved the reso- lution on July 2, 1776. And many of the original signers didn’t actually sign the Declaration of Independence until August 2, 1776. July 4th became more widely observed by Americans after the War of 1812 and by the 1870’s, it was the most nonreligious holiday. On June 28, 1870, Congress passed a law, making Independence Day a federal paid holiday. 

Thomas Jefferson is credited with writing the document calling for "unalienable rights” including "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Four other members: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Sherman, and Robert Livingston were chosen to draft the declaration and it went through dozens of changes before it was signed by 56 men. In 1777, in Philadelphia, a cannon was fired 13 times and the sky was filled with fireworks to honor the original 13 colonies. 

I find it important to note here that the document didn’t guarantee happiness, but it supported the right for a person to pursue it. Today, we find people insisting that their freedom rights are uncensored liberties. But with every freedom comes responsibilities. 

The most frequently used symbols of this holiday are, of course, the American Flag and the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Originally, this song was a poem, "Defence of Fort M’Henry,” written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812.

This year, for us in the Rim Country, it means a time we can gather with family and friends with a simple cookout, park activities and the traditional fireworks in the evening. 

And during this special day, perhaps we pause to recall our country’s history of the 13 colonies that struggled to gain our freedom rights and for those who still fight for our sacred rights that we take for granted. On the Fourth of July, hopefully we regain what it means to be a powerfully free citizen. "If our country is worth dying for in time of war...it is truly worth living for in time of peace.” — Hamilton Fish

As citizens of this great country, we need to be ever vigilant and protective from the apathy and disregard of our human dignity and caring. As John F. Kennedy said, “...Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country...” 

Here in our Rim Country, as everywhere in The United States, we have all felt that our freedom was impinged upon this past year, and yet, the spirit of our great nation is seen alive here. When the pandemic hit, there was an outpouring of prayers and support from people. When the incredible wildfires broke out, people came to- gether to help wherever and whenever they could. Firefighters came from all over the country shelters opened to offer food and housing for many. The local authorities coordinated help to keep peace and the local groups offered food services. Tonto Rim Search and Rescue was called out to help monitor homes in Pine and Strawberry and to get food for pets and relay information back and forth to residents who had been evacuated. Ministers stepped up to the plate and offered solace and comfort. 

I was honored to be a part of some of these efforts too. I witnessed the kindness and caring of many volunteers who did not expect compensation. I am truly and always impressed by the strength and the devotion that our Rim Country easily demonstrates in times of hardships and in the gentler times of goodness. The outpouring of help, prayers, kindness, caring, humor, and integrity demonstrated through these trying times is typical of our Rim Country residents and at the very soul of what it means to be American; but even more indicative of what it means to be a true human being. 

Dwight D. Eisenhower said, "Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men (and women), and so it must be daily earned and refreshed; else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” 

I invite each of us to begin wherever we are and see what action or intentions we can manifest each day that will demonstrate that we know, live, and support our freedoms. May our Fourth of July Celebrations be a daily commitment to our responsibilities to safeguard our nation free! 


I think about those two little baby hummingbirds at my front door and what their mom went through to give them the freedom to fly. Hummingbirds keep coming and feeding from my feeder. I keep the feeder full as a small gesture in hopes that "my” hummingbirds may be one of them. It is my support of their freedom and the nest, which will stay there, as I have learned that often, the mom returns next year to rebuild the same nest. Oh! and I keep the little Christ- 

mas lights on some nights, just in case!