Like millions of others, I watched fireworks on the Fourth of July. It was a wonderful evening. Warm, with no strong winds, the evenings blue-gray canopy was filled with twinkling stars. You couldn't have asked for a more perfect visual stage for the dramatic displays of exploding colors and designs that filled the sky. This year the Fourth of July holiday had a special significance.

At the end of June I had a business opportunity to travel to the East Coast and South Eastern areas of the country. During this trip there was an opportunity to drive through Virginia and stop in the Williamsburg area. Once there, I realized that there wasn't enough time to visit the historical site so I opted to stop at Jamestown, one of the
first settlements in Virginia.

The first stop was the glass works. I learned that early Americans produced glass for everyday use. The working display was an exact reproduction of the very first shop built and on it's same site of the original building. It was quite interesting to look at the working environment that people created over 200 years ago.

Throughout Jamestown archaeological digs were in progress. People of all ages were digging, bringing into the light of day artifacts of the past. One sunburned woman, who was one of the diggers, joked, "I have never left my childhood. I still love to play in the dirt." A great deal has been discovered about old buildings, tools and other items of the early Jamestown area.

The most significant part of the experience for me was a tour guide, Lynn. Lynn, dressed in costuming of the 1600's, brought the past alive with her narration of the early Jamestown experience. She shared the experiences of starvation, building of the port for the arrival of the supply ships, frustrations with political attitudes and the dealings with the English government. Fevers were common, sanitation poor. Yet with all of these hardships, there was a dogged determination that filled the hearts and souls of most of those early pioneers. Behind that determination to make a success of the unknown, was a desire, "FREEDOM". It was a flame that burned within the individual.

Most of the first people to arrive on the shores of this country were
indentured servants. It took years for them to clear their terms of servitude but once
finished they did have the opportunity to purchase land, marry and build their lives in the way they desired. Hard work was expected. These people created the character and love for independence that even today, is an example of what most people throughout the world desire.

While walking through this historic site, a particular experience came into my mind. My husband and I were on a special business trip to Russia in 1992, (sponsored by the People to People Program, Washington, D.C.). While there an opportunity for me to interview a prominent attorney in Moscow was made possible. He made a profound statement that I'll never forget, "You Americans", he said, "are born with a fire of
freedom within you that we don't have. We Russians don't feel we will
ever be anything but slaves." He told me about his grandparents who had immigrated to the U.S. many years ago. Even though they had become citizens and had lived here
for quite a while, they were always fearful of being sent back to Russia, being enslaved by their government as they had been previously. "We Russians desire freedom but we don't really believe we'll have it. You Americans expect and demand it. It is in your blood."

There was a touch of envy in his voice. It combined with a deep sense of futility and sadness that made me very grateful to be an American. Jamestown brought many things to mind. How as a nation we have progressed in development of agriculture, different technological advancements, education, health care and many other areas of skill and knowledge. Our melting pot of people and minds from all over the world,
millions of them, created the foundation of our free enterprise system that is, for all of its faults, still is the best in the world. These early pioneers carved the foundation for our growth and progress. We like them, need to remember that what we do, how we think and act, make a difference. We too are creators, builders. We are the power of thefuture.

Freedom, like a beautiful flower, has to be taken care of, protected and nourished against the choking weeds of ignorance, fear, greed and destructive attitudes. Freedom demands space, choice and unlimited opportunity so it can stretch itself as high, far and wide as possible.

For all of the frustrations we are aware of and have to deal with here in the United States, I'm reminded through my Jamestown visit how today, just as in the 1600's, people still fight to come here to live and experience the precious gift of "Freedom".

Keep your "Freedom's Flame" flowing within yourself and others. Respect and appreciate those who have paved the way. Your life, your attitudes make a difference
God Bless these United States and all other nations who fight to keep their "Fires of Freedom" burning brightly..........Donna Seebo
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QUOTE FOR THE MONTH
"Ain't no man that can avoid being born average; but ain't nobody
got to be common. " .....Satchel Paige

THE FROG PRINCESS
A man was crossing a road one day when a frog called out to him and
said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess." He bent
over, picked up the frog and put it into his pocket.

The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me and turn me back
into a beautiful princess, I will tell everyone how smart and brave your
are and how you are my hero." The man took the frog out of his pocket,
smiled at it, and returned it to his pocket.

The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me and turn me back
into a beautiful princess, I will be your loving companion for an entire
week." The man took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it, and
returned it to his pocket.

The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a
princess, I'll stay with you for a year and do ANYTHING you want." Again
the man took the frog out, smiled at it, and put it back into his pocket.

Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a
beautiful princess and that I'll stay with you for a year and do
ANYTHING you want. Why won't you kiss me?"

The man said, "Look I'm a computer programmer. I don't have time
for a girlfriend, but a talking frog is cool!"...........Submitted by B. Smith

I have had many inquiries about my traveling to different states. If you have a group of 20 people minimum, I will be happy to do a workshop and also be available for private consultations. To do a speaking appearance for a group or organization, please call or e-mail my office for information regarding fees and scheduling. See details at the end of this newsletter.

If you have a friend who would be interested in receiving this newsletter, send me their e-mail address and I will add them to my mail list for the next month's publication.

Your comments, suggestions and stories are always welcome. I appreciate your ideas and love to hear your 'special' stories that can help other people deal with their experiences in life.

If you would like to read back issues of the 'Donna Seebo Newsletter' visit my website and open up the archive section. The 'Newsletter' is a free publication. If you do not wish to continue receiving it just let me know and I will remove you from the mailing list.

Have a magnificent day..and remember.
"You are the Master of Your Fate,
The Captain of Your Soul".

Donna Seebo, P.O. Box 97272, Tacoma, WA 98497-0272
Delphi International & Mrs. Seebo's Classic's
www.delphiinternational.com
seeclassics@juno.com
(253) 582-5604 or (800) 872-8852 Fax(253)582-5597