Independence - the From, To and With of It All

Freedom from tyranny. Freedom to choose. Freedom to marry. Freedom to exercise our rights. Freedom to say yes. Freedom to say no. Today we celebrate those who gave and continue to offer their all, many with their lives, in order to create a place where we can freely be and become our best selves. Today I also celebrate what it takes to gain, preserve and enhance such freedoms: courage, vision, grit, resilience. It's not only these qualities, however. 

Independence requires what may at first sound counter-intuitive. Independence requires connection. Connection with our deepest values and beliefs, connection with teachers and mentors, family and friends, those who support us (and we support) in myriad ways. So today, though we may be separated by time and space, I celebrate my freedom to be connected with each of you.