Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we plan to celebrate the Fourth of July, I’ve been thinking about what this day means.
Nearly 250 years ago, a group of Americans came together to found a country based on principles that, at the time, were considered extraordinary: that people should have the freedom to shape their own lives, that government should answer to the people, and that our individual rights and voices matter and so does the social contract that we enter into with our fellow Americans. These ideas — proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence and further defined in our Constitution and Bill of Rights — still matter.
As a parent, I think a lot about what we’re passing on to our kids. And this week I am thinking about the kind of country our children will inherit and the role we all play in shaping it.
So, I offer you this Independence Day challenge: let’s recommit to our country’s founding principles — our common belief in freedom and opportunity for all and the idea that our future is something we build together. We can each do our part by treating others with kindness and respect, caring for our families and neighbors, helping those who are struggling, and building communities where every child can thrive and every family can achieve a better future. And, let’s make sure our government officials support these ideals too!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful and festive Fourth of July!
With gratitude and hope,
Jill