Returning to elementary school to learn what I should've learned the first time.

I recently had the opportunity to walk my son to elementary school. I had a great time checking the place out and on my way out stopped to view some of the American history pictures and stories displayed in one of the hallways. For a short while I carefully read the account of General George Washington crossing the Delaware River and wondered how I could get all the way through high school and college without knowing of this important event. I learned how Thomas Paine improved the morale of the revolutionary soldiers during this challenging time by writing these powerful and moving lines:

"These are times that try men's souls; the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."

After a few minutes of reading I not only felt a greater sense of patriotism but also an aching in my lower back since all of the items I was reviewing were only about four feet up the wall to accommodate the eye level of the average elementary school student- but it was well worth the sacrifice.

You can read more of the inspirational crossing of the Delaware River by George Washington right here.