America faces this fourth of July holiday in the midst of a deep recession, two unfinished wars and a political landscape with deep divisions.

How is the American spirit holding up? How confident are we that future Independence Days will find our fortunes rising?

It has always been a holiday of simple pleasures, warm days and nights. When the calendar is right, a 3 day respite from work and worry. It's a time to take in the sun or the cool waters, enjoy the comfort of our families and, of course, a time to view our world through a wash of red,white and blue, celebrate with fireworks, raise our chins a little higher, .

But with unemployment running high, servicemen and women in harm's way and plenty of political and social issues to divide us, there are shadows over this Fourth of July.

Ask the question and you'll find concern, even fear, just under the surface.

Virginia Sullivan, enjoying the sun at the Sparks Marina, sees the number of homeless growing and a number of other warning signs.
"I'm just praying we can get through this and get back to normal," she says clutching her hands together.

Wanting reassurance and solutions, many of us look to our leaders, some with hope, some with distrust.

The company Elaine Gengler works for has just been sold. She's feeling anything, but secure this holiday and she worries about what she sees in Washington. "I don't understand what they were thinking, the people who voted this president in. Where's all this money going to come from?"

Elijah Ornelas, at a cookout with his family, says he's been looking for a permanent job for a year and a half. Still he's pinning his hopes on the president. "I voted for him so I hope he does a good job."

Is that hope or confidence speaking? "Confidence, I think."

For others, ultimately the answers, the real strength that will lift us, may come from within ourselves, individually and collectively.

Real estate manager Laura Gamino sees full recovery a few years off, still she's irrepressivly upbeat. "If we stick together, work together as a community, keep our business local, we'll spring back."

Medical supply company owner Doug Bolton sees Americans turning to their own resilience. "If you fall down, you've got to get back up, keep going. That's all you can do. You can't give up. You've got to keep going and hope for the best. I think it's coming around. A year from now I think we'll be back on a good track."

Some common wisdom from some of your neighbors and food for thought on our nation's 233rd birthday. Happy Fourth of July.