Presidents Day was originally set apart as a day to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. This day honors the accomplishments of the man known as “The Father of his Country”. It has since become a day to honor much more. There is one statement of wisdom that stood out from this great father of our nation: the message of unity.

Presidents Day has become the holiday where we honor not just our greatest leaders from the oval office but the office itself. Some will say that certain of our elected leaders have not honored the office, but today we should all decide to honor the best of that office.

Interestingly there is also a lesser known tradition that stems from the resurrection of our country's first great honor, fittingly bestowed by our first great general, Washington himself.

The Purple Heart is and has been an honor of those who have bravely fought and been wounded in battle. In light of this connection to General Washinton many choose to honor him by honoring our service men and women. Many of us know someone who has served or may be still serving. Let them know you appreciate them by thanking them and honoring them today.

Up until now this may sound a bit off for an article on a site about Childbirth Education, but there is a connection to this day that many may not be aware of. It is around this time that another tradition is recognized on the floor of our congress - the reading of George Washington's Farewell address after serving two terms as president.

If you want to read a true leaders words, filled with humility and wisdom, take the time to read this. It will make a huge difference in how you see our leaders today.

What we would like to focus on was also a main focus for Washington in this final address to his fellow patriots and to the country he loved so much. One of the most poignant admonitions Washington makes in his address is a plea for unity.

Knowing, at that time, our fragile union could collapse and fall into a mess of broken individual states and unions, he makes it clear that what has been created, the “United States of America” is a precious and delicate thing, that there will be many who will seek to tear it apart:

“The unity... which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so; for it is a main pillar of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad, of your safety, of your prosperity, of that very liberty which you so highly prize.

But as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point in your... fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your... Union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it...”

Our families are under attack, our right to make informed choices is under attack, we see our culture being torn apart and divided by internal forces and external influences. We see our little communities at odds because of one reason or another. It seems much more popular to rant and rave against one thing or another rather than find common ground and build a respectful relationship from there.