Today's Unshackled Echo was previously published on
July 4, 2016.
Here in the United States July 4 is a day of remembering the beginning of our nation. It represents and reminds us to cherish our freedoms and the great history of the country. It's a time of celebration, family and fireworks. For many, fireworks are more a part of the Fourth than anything else. It's like a decorated tree at Christmas. The holiday just seems a little less complete without them.
Our dogs, and apparently pretty much every dog within earshot of our house, do not like fireworks. They get frightened and agitated. And they bark. They bark and bark, refusing to obey commands to quiet until the popping and explosions cease. This used to bother me a lot. I hated the dogs being stupid and barking every evening from shortly after dark till after midnight during the holiday. This year the Fourth landed on a Monday, which meant the explosions started three nights ago, on the weekend, and will likely be the worst tonight. But they don't bother me, and it doesn't bother me that dogs get upset and bark anymore either.
For me, the agitated baying has become a call to prayer. A couple of years ago, as I became frustrated with the dogs, the Spirit spoke to my spirit and showed me that I was the one being foolish, not the dogs. They can't help the way they feel and react to the noise. It's an unnatural situation for them that they don't understand. The noise puts them in a panic and state of fear that they have little to no control over. Then I felt reminded of all the situations that most people do every day with no problem that can put me in a state of severe agitation and fear, can cause panic attacks because of my past and what I experienced in the years I spent incarcerated. Logically I understand I'm no longer in that place and the situations are different. I understand that I am safe and free, and the nightmare is over. But emotionally I can't stop the feelings once triggered. Others on the outside, who do not have my triggers may even think it no big deal what I am going through, or they may think I just need to realize the situation is different and control my emotions. I can't. It takes grace for me to make it through those times.
Now, the dogs do not have PTSD, and they don't need grace. But there are men and women all over this country this weekend, tonight, and every Fourth, who will not be able to enjoy this holiday with their families. They cannot relax and celebrate and light up the night sky with their children, who cannot fully understand that the noise we associate with festivity fills them with fear and triggers violent reactions as it takes them back to a place of war. Fireworks are not fun for everyone. For some who have spent time away from home to help ensure the freedoms of the rest of us, they are memory triggers of battles they can never forget.
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