Who knows the reason for sure. But whatever it is… I am a BIG fan of things historical these days. I soak up the history.

I never cared much for it as a kid, but as I get older, I am extremely drawn to it.

So today is a pretty big day for me. July 4th. I wonder how many people really know what it is we celebrate on this day…. or more succinctly… what it commemorates. The date recognizes the Signing of The Declaration of Independence. This document declared independence of the 13 colonies from Great Britain. While the entire document wasn’t actually signed by all 56 representatives on July 4th, it is the day we recognize its ratification.

That’s history many of you know. What you may not know is this….. behind all great political leaders in the United States, there wasn’t necessarily a good woman (although many of them turned to their trusted wives for advice). No. The commonality of all the great leaders was (and is)………. their trusted sock monkeys.

Sock monkeys first appeared in early Colonial times in the United States. They were easy enough to make from old socks…. the first record of a political leader and his sock monkey dates back to George Washington in 1791. Two years after he took the Office of President of the United States, Martha made George a sock monkey. He carried the little monkey nearly everywhere he went. It can only be seen in a couple of historical paintings, mainly because George liked to keep his monkey private.

Yes, the early leaders consulted with their monkeys; sought advice; and depended on them for comfort. Throughout history, the monkey-confidantes have come and gone in popularity. Most political leaders these days don’t realize the benefits of a trusted little monkey.

John Adams had one. As did Jefferson, and Lincoln.   Ahhhh, but….. James Buchanan… NO sock monkey (crappy president); and the same with Warren G. Harding… he didn’t have a monkey. Nixon… nope. W…. Dang it……. no monkey.

FDR had one though. Eleanor persuaded him to get it.  The little fella’ tooled around with him in his wheel chair.  And ol’ Harry S…. yeppers.

This is getting way too long tonight. But I was reminded by ALL of this, because….. someone came to our 4th of July Party yesterday, and KNEW this history. They left this treasured gift for me… to commemorate this historical event… a brand new rainbow diverse sock monkey.  He Rocks.  This is a gift I will value highly for a long time.  Thank You…..”Mystery Gift-er”

I am elated!  My very own Fourth of July Historical Sock Monkey.  I shall name him…. Rutledge Heyward.

Happy 4th of July to ALL of you…. AND to your Sock Monkeys.