As the nation turns its focus to our 250th anniversary I find myself pondering what it means to be truly free in these United States of America in the year 2026. This thought permeated my brain on a day of errands and appointments with my dear Dad. On this particular day, we had the pleasure of one another’s company, the ability to see trained doctors, the experience to delight in a strong cup of coffee and the gift of consolation from visiting my Mom at her final resting place.
At the ear doctor, my Dad was expertly cared for and treated with dignity by an intelligent medical professional which is something to be grateful for as many folks in the world go without these benefits. On our way out, the capable women behind the desk made another appointment for him in six months. Then with smiles and laughter they wished him a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Their kindness was infectious and lightened the mood of a normally tedious outing. On our way to the nearby coffee shop, a kindly gentleman held the door open as I entered and allowed me to order before him. When I thanked him he disregarded his actions as anything noteworthy. Waiting for our orders, we spoke about how we each saw goodness in our young people including the diligence of the staff behind the counter. He asked who I was bringing coffee to and remarked that I’d be wise to include something sweet. I smiled and told him that the coffee was for my Dad and that indeed I ordered a plain donut for him, but not to tell anyone. “Life is too precious to avoid little kindnesses,” he said. His comment made me smile in agreement.
Finally, Dad and I drove over to the cemetery where my beautiful Mom has been lain to rest for almost ten years. Being there together, praying and offering prayers for the most urgent needs in our family and world provided us a moment to reflect on the gift of Mom’s life and the many ways she offered herself for the good of others. Mom was a beacon of love and light in a world which was not always bright as I sometimes feel today. But her life reminds me that true freedom lies in my response to unexpected encounters like the ones I had experienced today. Each one taught me that sharing simple joy with another person is the best way I can choose to live freely. Some may think that freedom is doing whatever one desires but I don’t agree. Freedom is simply embracing the gifts which one has been given by the Creator and using them for the good of others in the world which in turn yields abundant inner joy. Bishop Barron says it better, “true freedom is the disciplining of desire so that achieving the good becomes first possible, and then, effortless.” For my Mom, achieving the good each day of her life was indeed effortless as attested by countless souls who encountered her love.
On this historic anniversary in our country, I hope that every American, no matter one’s background, color or status, will choose to use their freedom well. I pray that each person in these great United States will examine their soul so that our collective desire becomes the good of other fellow Americans. Only then will all people in this country have the opportunity to pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as our Founding Fathers envisioned 250 years ago.
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