I called my mother who lives in Scotland (I live in the U.S. where I was born and raised) today and when she picked up the phone she asked me - rhetorically - “Do you know what today is?”. I responded to her with what I believed was the obvious response: “The most amazing day in the history of our Country we will witness in our lifetimes”. She responded with “That, and it’s Guy Fawkes Day”.
You see, Guy Fawkes Day has meant a great deal to me for as long as I’ve known the story of Guy Fawkes. I don’t celebrate it for what it traditionally stands for, but for more deep seated reasons that echo to the barbarism and the foundation of US in spite of the holiday, nursery rhyme and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes. The founding of this country was treason, and while the celebration overseas may be for the acts of Parlament some 400 years ago, the celebration here is undoubtedly for Guy Fawkes. The foundation of the United States was treason, and for that I celebrate it.
I had completely forgot.
But I digress. My point here is that today, the 5th of November is about something much more important than a holiday-turned-novelty. Today is the first day I awoke to an America that fulfilled a promise to herself and her children. It’s the first time I have woken up with such a sense of founded pride in my country I am beside myself. Whether you voted for John McCain, Barrack Obama or Bob Barr - you can be proud of what our nation became last night.
Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot…
*sigh of relief*
He’s still alive.
Good to have you back.