Born in the U.S.A.

Not so long ago, Estonia was granted their freedom and given the rights of an independent nation. A big part of getting there was through demonstrations in the song festival. The festival has been happening every fifth summer for the past 140 years. Rain or shine, communism, facism, or democracy, Estonians pour down the streets for hours to file into the song grounds. 70,000 strong, they sing traditional songs together for several hours. Just so happens that this year the song festival has landed on the 4th of July weekend.

A couple of days ago, Josh and I went with two friends to dinner and then stumbled on an early celebration. There was dancing, singing, and lots of accordian action going on. We got there just as an old fashioned looking boat arrived to the shore, carrying a flame that had been taken through the rivers of Estonia and onto the Baltic Sea to make it to Tallinn. As we were leaving, our friends told us about how, as young kids, they had been a part of the human chain that ran the length of the Baltic nations.

So, tonight, we got together with a few American friends. We ate some dessert, popped a handful of fireworks, and listened to a little of Bruce Springstein and Tom Petty. And, maybe this year more than others, we were thankful for the freedom we've had all this time, and oftentimes take for granted.

Tomorrow, we'll go catch the second day of the festival and pray that those 70,000 might find a new kind of freedom that can't be taken away through politics, arms, or the will of any opposing army.