life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

My heart and mind are full as I ponder events of recent days. I have so much to be grateful for though by the world’s standards, I have very little.

The discovery of my immense gratitude began over the weekend as I lay curled up beside one of my favorite people in the world. He studied for an exam as I read The Bookseller of Kabul, a piece of literature which investigates the sphere of one fairly atypical Afghan family. As the Student held my hand, I contemplated what the consequences of our current actions would be if we lived in Kabul. For me, the results would be catastrophic. For being with a man outside of my immediate family I would be severely beaten, let alone the fact that we were cuddling and holding hands. For these actions I would be labeled as promiscuous and tainted and my family would never be able to find me a husband.

In Afghanistan, I would no longer have any options.

The more I read, the more frustrated and heart broken I became for my female counterparts in the Middle East. The Student would listen to my lamentations and sympathize where he could. In his eyes I could see gratitude for me as a person, for my respect and love of others. For my intellect, opinions, education, wit, and conversation. To him, I am a companion, not just a baby maker.

In the days that followed, I prepared a lesson for a church activity on the founding of the United States of America, my home, in honor of the Fourth of July. Notions of independence and freedom, ideas which had already been running rampant in my mind, took new forms. I discussed with my friends how our country came to be. How a group of traitors of varying opinions came together to compose some of the most profound words the world has ever known. “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal...” After great debate, these representatives of thirteen colonies came together and voted that enough was enough. The United States of America would be and were independent of the tyrannical ties of Great Britain.

Because of this group of traitors, I had the opportunity to spend a Saturday afternoon reading curled up beside the Student. I am able to vote, have an opinion, be a mother, run for office, run a marathon. I can wear the shoes of my choosing, do a jig in a park, listen to music, pray whenever I want. I can study, I can go out in public alone.

I am indeed grateful beyond measure for all of the opportunities available to me. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are mine for the taking if I but reach out my hand to them.