Happy 4th of July!!

   
    It is Day 4 of the Ultimate Blogging Challenge and I am a little late out of the starting date today.    It is also the 4^th of July, better known as Independence Day or to most kids the day the fireworks fill the sky.

   

       While I was growing up the 4^th of July was dedicated and reserved to family.  Every year the extended family would gather together for a full blown reunion usually held at my aunt’s house which featured a swimming pool, at my uncle’s house at the lake, or at Grandma’s farm.  Regardless where the reunion was held you could count on great food and my Dad’s barbecue chicken.  There would be swimming and maybe even a softball game for those sportier relatives that enjoyed that kind of stuff.  I was usually stationed far in the outfield where balls hardly ever dared to go.  It was a good thing because I wouldn’t know what the hell to do with it if it had!!  I was usually more concerned about not getting hit by the ball than actually catching it.  Picture me running away with my arms protecting my head and you will have an idea of my kind of fielding strategy.

        You could also count on rousing games of horse shoes, croquet, and even occasionally volleyball.  You could always count on my mom’s deviled eggs and once my cousin got married her amazing taco salad.  We would gather around tables set up outside and join hands and sing like the Who’s down in Who Ville.  Instead of Ya hoo Foray, we sang “Count your Blessings”, and then Grandpa would lead the family in prayer.

       After the last hugs, kisses, and goodbyes the family would disperse often not seeing each other again until Thanksgiving.  It was time to go home and plan for fireworks.  Being an over the road truck driver, my Dad could always be counted on to bring home a slew of illegal fireworks for our own personal show.  I would dance around using sparklers for pom-poms and then my Dad and his fireworks would take center stage.  We would gather outside in the yard with our next door neighbors to watch.

       Those days are long gone with most of the starring players.  Today the 4thof July still embodies all the things my grandparents taught me to value: time with family, great food, lawn games, fireworks, and
thankfulness counting our many blessings from our country’s freedom to the dear family and friends we hold most dear.   Even though I celebrate with only my husband and kids now, it doesn’t make the day any less poignant.   Happy Independence Day and may God bless each of you!