Reflections on Independence Day and Home Ownership

We had unusually pleasant weather in Kansas City for the Fourth of July holiday.  Today's weather -- hot,sticky, in the 90s--is what we usually get.  Friday and Saturday were warm, mild, with sunny skies and cool evenings--not even the mosquitoes were biting!  Perfect for fireworks and outside plans, walks, biking, sitting poolside. Everyone was talking about how great it was to be outside, instead of complaning about the usual typical humid conditions. What does this rambling about weather have to to with home ownership?

Because on this weekend that clelbrates   the American spirit of the freedom to honor  'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'--to me, that is embedded in home ownership.  My weekend festivities centered on family and friend gatherings: in my  special Brookside 'hood, listening to those small streetside fireworks as soon as dusk arrives;  gathering in Loose Park with my neighbors' eclectic group of friends and kids for D'Bronz pizza, blankets, baseball and badmitton; spending some time at the local pool and chatting with various lounging friends; going to my brother's home for a family cookout featuring a cherished family recipe and then watching all the fireworks displays' from around the city from his deck perched high above the rest of the homes...it's these simple events, centered around home and friends, that everyone should appreciate.

Establishing roots in a city...in a home...knowing your neighbors..being a part of a community...all of this is a part of the American Dream that is celebrated on July 4.  Home ownership offers  you so more than the physical house itself..it opens you up to a community,  new friends,  family celebrations around the table, watching the kids on the block grow up, how the changing seasons affect the look of the area, talking local happenings and gossip with the neighbors.  After a vacation or  a hard day at the office, turning the block to see your home..it's a comforting, special security that not only gives you physical shelter but plenty of 'emotional equity' as well.  Take pride in your home, your neighborhood, your surroundings--make the most of all that  it offers--it's part of the American Dream that is celebrated every July 4.