The Declaration--An Interesting Coincidence & Important Message to the Future

Did you know that the real copy of the Declaration is incredibly faded?  

Folks didn't know much about preserving important things like documents for a long time. So, there's not a whole lot to see.

However I felt it quite interesting that the phrase: "free and independent states" can still be clearly seen.

Four explosive, powerful words. 

Yes, the world knows and has embraced Jefferson's grand words..."that all men are created" and "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness."

But what made the document so world changing, wasn't just that, but that the Colonies decided to leave. To break away. To become..."free and independent states." (I'm still stunned that King George didn't just shred the thing and toss it in the fire in a pique of anger.)

Our future generations are and will face the supreme challenge. Not remaining independent...but how to guarantee that we remain free.  And they will be deciding what that means--to be free.

To borrow from another era--Abraham Lincoln once said...

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

Let's hope those words on the Declaration are emblazoned on the hearts and minds of our future generations...we must remain "free and independent states."