What a wonderful holiday, Independence Day!  It gives us, as parents, the opportunity to teach an awful lot to our kids without them even realizing they're learning. There's history, government, politics, geography, not to mention a little bit of science in all those pyrotechnics.

And when asked to sum it all up in one word, who wouldn't say "freedom"? 

I remember thinking about that concept as a kid - what "freedom" as an American meant.  Of course, it was all those things we learned in school - freedom to choose religion, freedom to express my opinions about our governmental leaders, about educational policies, about sports teams and tv shows, about vaccines and the CDC...
 
And it doesn't matter what those opinions are, because it's my fundamental right as an American to believe whatever I do and not be in fear for my life or my liberty.
 
Then there's the pursuit of happiness.  For me, I knew that meant that I could work hard and have the opportunities that I created (or was blessed enough to haven opened to me).  Doctor, lawyer, rocket scientist, or President ... they were all open to me, just as to the other boys and girls sitting at my table in Mrs. Yoder's kindergarten classroom.  Even Shawn who got me my first recess detention for socking him in the nose when he tried to kiss me on the playground and Sally who threw up on me in line one day, which I am convinced is the root of my current phobia. (Names have been changed to protect the innocent and not so innocent...)

Those were the things that freedom meant to me.  But I'm not so sure that's what it means to my kids, or what it would if they really understood the concept.
 
Now Ben, at nearly 16 and far smarter than his dad or I were at his age, certainly gets the inherent ideas, but I would have to add to his list of freedoms - his fundamental rights - should include the freedom from environmental and food allergies that gave him ulcers at 14.  For Zach, perhaps his pursuit of happiness would mean not having letters of a “condition” attached to his permanent file and being able to get through a day of school without pharmaceutical intervention – freedom from ADHD.  Now, both boys understand the doors open to them and, despite the challenges they have, are smart enough to know how to take advantage of those opportunities as they arise. 

And then we have Sam. 



He's such a little cutie and has made great strides in a short time.  But still has so far to go.  I sat at dinner tonight watching him try so hard to snap shut one of those recyclable bag we got from a store.  He had such a serious look on his face and was concentrating so hard.  And he just couldn't get it.  At a time when so many nearly 5 year olds would be learning, at least in rudamentary terms, about the Declaration of Independence, about the soldiers that fought to make American a place for freedom, that sparklers are really cool but that red tip is way too hot, I would love for him to be able to fasten a snap.  I know I couldn't begin to list all the freedoms he has yet to embrace.  And when I'm not just plain angry that he’s not free from autism and that he's missing out on so much, it inspires me to watch him try to take the next step.

So, although he couldn't master the snap today, he did manage to figure out Netflix on the iPad.  And the volume button.  Ahhhh...  We’ll take the victories as they come!

And I think we’ll save the pyrotechnics for next year, perhaps…