It's coming.  It's almost here.  Before we know it, it will be gone.  All the decorations, sparklers, and fireworks will be packed up until next year and forgotten.  Of course, I am speaking about the 4th of July; the United States of AMERICA's INDEPENDENCE DAY.  We do things a bit differently here.  We don't pull out special decorations to scatter about in celebration of INDEPENDENCE Day.  We don't set aside a special day to remember those who fought to gain America's INDEPENDENCE.  We don't stop on the 4th of July to think about those that are currently fighting for America.  No, we do things a bit differently.  WE NEVER TAKE THEM DOWN!  The flag flies everyday (except when the bracket or pole get damaged and I have to replace them).  Other than for repairs, I only take my flag down when the wind is so high that it might take my flag down the street or tear it to shreds - I have had both happen. 

We don't wait until the 4th of July to remember the soldiers who fought for America's INEDEPENDENCE.  We never forget to remember those that bravely died to first gain and later preserve our freedoms.  Many a time, I have walked up to a total stranger (many times with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat) and told them how much I appreciate the sacrifices that they made for little ol me.  It's just amazing to me.  I am humbled.  I am thankful.  I am in AWE of the courage and selflessness of our soldiers.  THANK YOU.  ALL OF YOU.

Now, you may be wondering what in the world this has to do with the AVON.  Well, nothing and a lot.  If it weren't for America's victory in our fight for INDEPENDENCE, AVON might not have ever come to be.  You see, AVON's founder, David Hall McConnell was the son of Irish immigrants.  Had America not been the "Land of Opportunity" that the freedom gained during the Revolutionary War made it, they might not have ever come to America as they did in 1845.  They might have gone somewhere else or even perished like so many did during that horrific time of the Great Famine (Potato Famine). 

Fortunately, James and Isabel McConnell did come to America.  The elder McConnell was successful enough in farming and brick manufaturing that David was able to go to college.  He intended to be a Mathematics teacher.  Again, through a furtunate chain of events, David entered the business world instead. 

David started out selling books for a book company in New York.  Later he became a member of the Union Publishing Company in Chicago.  It was at union Publishing that McConnell was given charge over a southern region and moved to Atlanta, GA.  It was during this time that McConnell decided that if one could sell books door-to-door, one could sell other products dooR-to-door as well - namely perfume.

The original perfume that McConnell sold was created by him in his home.  I believe it was a rose water.  He continued selling his books and perfume until he was so successful he had to give up the book selling business.  California Perfume Company was born.

McConnell established a perfume manufacturing plant in Suffern, NY.  Then, he did something that was pretty much unheard of during that time.  He hired women - housewives - who had limited time available, to be his sales force.  He asked his top book seller, Mrs. Persis Foster Eames Albee, to be his very first "General Agent."

Of course, later there were more products added to the California Perfume Company (toiletries, make up, etc.).  And of course, the name was later changed to Avon, but not before stints as Allied Products and Avon Allied Products.  When David McConnell, Sr. died in 1937, there were woughly 30,000 "General Agents" with the company.  Today there are over 5 MILLION world-wide.  WOW!

Still, what does that have to do with the 4th of July.  I like to believe that it was America's earliest brave soldiers and their fight for America's INDEPENDENCE that made it possible for McConnell's parents to find solace and a new home here.  I think it was that original American fight that made it possible for a son of immigrants to attend college and aspire to create a business of his own.  I think it was the freedom to choose, afforded tohim by those brave soldier's heroism and determination to be INDEPENDENT, that allowed him to choose to try his hand at business rather than stay with the "safe" choice of becoming a Mathematics teacher.  During that time in history, where, but America, would he have been given that opportunity?  Possibly in Britain.  However, I think that his parents may have had enough of British Rule in Ireland. (I'm just guessing here. Please don't get the wrong idea.  I am very proud of my own English heritage.)  I think it is because of America's INDEPENDENCE that allowed McConnell to be INDEPENDENT and paved the way for MILLIONS of future INDEPENDENT Sales Representatives to have a career with AVON.

So, this 4th of July, I will not only be remembering all those who fought so valiantly for America's INDEPENDENCE, I will remember ALL those that have fought, are fighting, and will fight for and to preserve our FREEDOMS and our INDEPENDENCE.  I will also remember David Hall McConnell who was an INDEPENDENT thinker and who's idea created a way for me to be home with my children and make a living.  Through my Avon business, I get to celebrate my INDEPENDENCE every day.

So, thanks be to all those soldiers - past and present.  Thank you for fighting for my INDEPENDENCE and my RIGHT to choose.  And thank you to David Hall McConnell for being a forward thinker.  Thank you for being so mathematically inclined that you obviously saw the potential not just in the success of your California Perfume Company, but also in women as successful business persons. Thank you for creating a company that has had continued success.  Thank your for allowing several women who were just trying to make some extra money to become MILLIONAIRES through their AVON business.  Being a millionaire is not necessarily a goak of mine, but thank you for giving me the same opportunity.  It would be a nice perk.

Please keep this in mind as you celebrate America's INDEPENDENCE this weekend, it matters not whether you support this or any war.  The soldiers themselves may or may not even support this war.  The bottom line is that they are there in defense (or in honor of, if you like) of our GREAT country.  The issues that caused the war are not what I'm talking about here.  I'm asking that you remember the individual men and women.  The war is just a side note.  Support the soldiers, not necessarily the war(s).  The fact is, these men and women stood up and said, "YES!  I will face death for America!"  once again, I am humbled.

Have a safe and happy celebration. 

Ain't America Grand!!!