An Empath On Independence Day

July 4th is a day of celebration in the United States. Patriotism flows as freely as a river from city to city, honoring our independence from Great Britain. Throughout the nation there are cookouts, parades and fireworks.

Traditional cookouts are fun. Hot dogs, brats and hamburgers sizzle on a grill while salads and desserts wait on the side to be served. Streamers of red, white and blue hang from tables and window sills and around door frames.

It’s the parades that get me. No matter where you live there is always a parade nearby to attend. I have a few to choose from but I watch the one in the city where I work because there is a better chance of seeing people I recognize.

I arrive an hour early, but people have already staked out choice places. Lawn chairs and blankets litter the grass and sidewalks along the parade route. Children in patriotic outfits hold plastic bags to carry their loot home.

The excitement and anticipation of the children is a pleasure to observe. However, parents are a mixed bag. Some are only there at the insistence of their children and it shows in the impatience of their actions. Others are there to enjoy the festivities with their children and they have all the patience in the world as they wait for its appearance. Still others seem to pay no mind at all to their children It’s a wonder they are neither abducted nor run over.

Yet, when the parade begins there is a hush that falls upon the crowd. The truly patriotic remember to stand in honor of the flag as it passes before them. Also, the older men reverently remove their hats. Sadly this form of respect for the flag and all it stands for doesn’t seem to be taught anymore.

But, there is still enough respect that there is a collective sense of awe and patriotism that overtakes the crowd when the flag bearers pass by. As an empath the feeling is overwhelming. It’s hard to express the feeling in words.

There is a swelling in the chest like the heart is filled beyond capacity. For a second I felt a lump in my throat. My eyes welled up and I recognized a feeling of pride that overtook me. This is what almost everyone around me was projecting. It was a joy to feel.

Politically there may be a lot wrong with our country. There are enough reasons to be unhappy with our government. But on Independence Day most of us put aside our dissatisfaction and celebrate all the reasons we have to be grateful to live in the United States.

When the parades are done, the food is eaten, and sunshine turns to shadow, the crowds gather to put the grand finale to the day. A poof and a whistle preceeds the boom as the sky explodes with colored lights. Exhausted children fight sleep to watch in awe as the fireworks capture their attention.

For me, days like this give me a reason to enjoy being an empath because the joys of the day far outweight the annoyances.

God bless the U.S.A.