The community of Bentwater is just that.  Though it has a population larger than most towns in our corner of Texas, it’s a community.  It’s Americana the way it used to be.  And never is that more evident than during Bentwater’s 4th of July celebration.  It’s a place and time for friends and neighbors to come together for too much food and drink, to enjoy one another, to honor tradition and soak in the satisfaction of belonging.  Thanks to the tireless efforts of the entire POA and country club staffs, Independence Day is one of the highlights of our year with the best fireworks show anywhere around the lake, and a parade that gets more and more creative each year.  Whether you’re a participant or a spectator, the parade shows off a deep sense of pride.  Pride in our country.  Pride in our state.  Pride in our community.  Pride in our heritage.  When we consider our heritage, our mind often wanders to tea parties in Boston or Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell, and it certainly is all those things.  But, in fact, we’re creating heritage for others even today, every day.  Ready or not, consciously or not, our simple actions can leave indelible impressions on others for generations to come. Case in point, my grandmother had a hand-embroidered tapestry (actually just a piece of framed cloth) on her parlor wall that read like this.  Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  I’m sure most of you have read or heard those words at different times throughout your life.  But, since I’d watched her spend weeks stitching those words on that white cloth, I naturally assumed the words were hers.  I mean, I was a kid so what did I know?  But my assumptions were mostly based on the fact that Gramma seemed to know things that others didn’t and she actually lived by those words for nearly 100 years, just a few months shy of a century.  I was blessed to be part of her life for about half of those years. That’s one example of heritage in the making, but it isn’t limited to events of yesteryear.  Because, as of today, the first half of 2024 is officially in our rearview mirror.  And as we look forward to this Independence Day celebration week, it’s perfectly okay to show your pride.  After all, America enjoys a quality of life that much of the rest of the world can’t even imagine.  By the way, that didn’t just happen by accident and it won’t continue by accident.  Freedom isn’t free, so may we all work for the serenity and courage and wisdom to celebrate, and keep, our heritage.  Happy Independence Day, Bentwater.
Send Bentwater fun news and social tidbits to Bruce at Bruce@TheLakeConroeGroup.com
If the full content does not display, visit the article originally published on this site
