Not everyone has the chance.

My hometown goes big for the 4th of July.

There is a community church service and breakfast on Sunday,

cruise night and burgers on the 3rd,

and a full day of events on the 4th.

As I took in all of the activities this year,

I thought about how blessed I am to have grown up in small town Nebraska.

And I realized that not everyone has the chance to.

Not everyone gets to grow up in a town like mine.

A town of less than 300 people.

A town that starts their 4th of July celebration with a community church service.

A town where no one is a stranger,

and everyone wants to know how you’ve been

and what you’ve been up to.

A town that is family.

A town that begins the parade with the American flag

and hands over hearts.

A town where the volunteer fire department trucks and ambulances

are the pride of the parade and community.

A town with big hearts.

A town where people pick up turtles along the road

in case a kid is without one for the turtle races.

A town where every child receives their prize money

with a smile and a thank you,

whether it is ten dollars or a quarter.

A town that isn’t perfect.

But in the midst of speaker problems or running out of food,

it is a town where the people are patient and kind.

A town where, as I refill water coolers,

there is immediately someone there to cut open the case

and another to hold open the cooler lid.

A town where everyone pitches in to help,

whatever the need.

A town that cares.

A town that welcomes you in and makes you feel at home,

whether you are from there or not.

Not everyone has the chance to grow up in a town like that.

A town like mine.

But if you did, take a moment to realize what a blessing it is.