It worked out so perfectly being late!
I got word from a politically connected new friend that there was going to be a bar opening in defiance of the Governor’s order.
A live band was going to play!
The message I received said to keep it down low.
Defiance of government tyranny?
A potential conflict between patriots and law enforcement?
Would the media even show up to cover this?
Would they tell the truth or present another false narrative?
Patriots gathering to defy tyranny and support small business owners has been the theme of my pandemic.
No way was I going to miss this!
When I got to the party it was already in full swing.
I missed connecting with my new friend.
There was no visible police presence. There was also no visible need for any.
Some local news had been there earlier but were not obviously present now.
No reason for them to be.
There was no drama.
No conflict.
There was no story for them to sell.
I have been in the company of many large groups of enthusiastic patriots of late.
We are mostly engaged in activism and rallying on the front lawn of our State capitol.
Tonight, these patriots were actively engaged in activism and rallying by having a drink.
I decided to join them.
Getting a beer in the first bar open in months shouldn’t be easy.
When you are the sober guy by himself while dozens gather around beer buckets it is even harder.
God bless the masked waitress that had mercy on me.
She told me I had to wait exactly there and I did. She delivered a solitary Coors to me amid the mass of gathered friends and family. I have no doubt she was over tipped all night and deserved all of it.
Holding that cold bottle brought a real comfortable feeling as I walked around the party.
Some of the faces were familiar but the volume of the celebration and it’s well progressed nature made continuing those conversations hopeless.
So I drank a beer surrounded by people dancing and enjoying themselves.
There was uproarious laughter.
There was rock and roll.
Whole groups of fantasy football team owners horse playing.
Multiple groups of girls dancing together with the energy of bridesmaids.
You would fall into hugs if you weren’t careful.
I personally watched a woman of about fifty grab her man around the neck with her arms as I am sure she would have if they were teenagers.
These were patriots kicking back and relaxing.
They were enjoying a respite.
I joined them in this as well.
That brings me to the story I most wanted to share with you.
While enjoying my respite, I did observe patriots in action. The restaurant was full of demand and the entire staff was breaking butt to get everybody their orders. A man in a very tasteful American flag collared shirt was hustling impressively.
I am confident he was the owner of this establishment not only from his patriotic clothing statement but in the way he carried himself during the hectic business rush.
As if it were his life.
Anybody who knows a restaurant owner personally knows what that means.
He wasn’t enjoying respite. He was in the thick of battle.
Operating his business in the face of tyrannical government telling him to submit.
Without fear.
The band was also working hard.
Their fans and friends were gathered together in defiance of an order to submit.
The band rocked out enthusiastically in defiance of tyrannical government.
And they covered Sweet Child O’Mine.
Without fear.
With closing time looming, I saw the presumed restaurant owner pass near the stage.
He and the rock and roll singer made eye contact and grinned as if friends.
I cannot tell you the words exchanged but I recognized the look of two men knowing they had done their respective things in order to stand for their freedom and they had done it well.
I saw pride and exhilaration.
I saw victory.
Not just for them but for Our country.
Their fist bump made my beer taste better.
I quietly raised my bottle last night to two American patriots in the heat of battle.
I salute them for plying their trades and talents to combat tyranny.
For leading the way.
This American Revolution will require it of many.
@mikemullens