July 1, 2011

July has arrived. The heat and humidity is now a fact of life. It seems a good time to celebrate our nation's birthday, however, I prefer to just celebrate my youngest son's birthday. He is much more important to me.

I look at this boy (man) and am truly amazed by him.

Timothy, from day one, has been a smile in my heart. He has always seems to have a smile within him and a sense of goodwill that is unbounded. So, I am wishing him a wonderful day. As, I talked to him this morning, his daughter was hugging him and I could hear her laughter. That is what I remember most from his childhood, the hugs. Nothing better.

So, yes, we are celebrating our Nation's birthday as well. While we have the most wonderful nation, I see that those on the right side of the debate want to destroy all that has made it one of the best countries in the world. Astounds me.

This will be 60 years of enjoying the 4th of July. Mostly, I remember family get togethers. At Grandma and Grandpa Best's farm. There would be the most wonder fried chicken. I don't know how Grandma did it, but the chicken was perfection. At the end of the evening, there was homemade ice cream and a cake. Or watermelon. Now, you have to understand, for 60 years, I've tried to like watermelon. Every summer I convince myself that this will be the summer that I will finally understand the wonderfulness of the melon. Then, I try to eat it. Ugh, the smell, the texture, the taste, is all wrong. Do you think that makes me nearly un-American?

Another 4th memory is with my sister and her family. There were battles with the next door neighbors. They would fly the Confederate flag and we would fly the Stars and Stripes. Whoever, using whatever means possible, stole the others flag won the bragging rights. Now, these battles would get out of hand sometimes, depending on the amount of beer consumed. Also a bit dangerous. Firing bottle rockets at the opposition camp, sent many a running for their lives.

Another 4th memory, is my hometowns fireworks celebration. It was always held at the lake. The "audience" would sit on the rolling hills surrounding one side of the lake and the fire department would be on the other side of the lake, at the Country club to fire off the display. And every year they would catch some part of the woods around them on fire. Almost a tradition in irony.

The celebration still continues in a more calm way now. My niece saves her Christmas tree for the 4th and it is entwined with thousand of firecrackers. Just at the right moment it is set a blaze. Tree recycled for yet another year. I wish I could be in Illinois one more time for the 4th. It is such fun.

My 4th will be very quiet. Probably watch the fireworks on T.V., as most of northern Florida has been on fire for a couple of months, no fireworks are allowed.

I will also hope that this year brings an end to two made up wars, and peace. All we need is love.