What does freedom of speech mean to me?

Freedom of speech means alot to me. Its the reason why I can say what I want to say, wear what I want to wear, and believe what I want to believe. I guess I really have never that much of freedom of speech because its always been there, I've never not been able to state my opinion. When i'm forced to really think about it though I realize how big of a deal it is and how lucky I am to have it because others do not.