Next weekend is Independence Day
weekend. July 4th. For most people the holiday means vacations, picnics,
boating, and fireworks displays in honor of our country’s birthday. That day
means the same to me but it also has much more meaning filled with nostalgia
and emotions.
When I was a child (many, many
years ago), my family lived about two blocks off front beach on the Gulf Coast.
Fourth of July was a wonderful holiday for us children. Families would walk
together to the beachfront, sit along the seawall and watch the fireworks shot
from the island right across the channel. I was always in awe of the displays,
but again, as a child, my biggest concern was playing in the sand and having a
good time with the other children.
Today I look back at those days and
realize how wonderful they were. Times were simpler. Lives were more intertwined
with other people in our small community. We didn’t live in an exclusive part
of town. Most of our neighbors were hard-working laborers in jobs connected
with the seafood industry. Mine were as well. We weren’t rich, but we didn’t
know it.
The Fourth also meant another thing
to our family. It was my only brother’s birthday. Sometimes during the day we
would have a party for him with a cake baked in Mom’s small kitchen. That
evening as we walked down to the beach I’d always have to listen to him tell
everyone it was his birthday and the fireworks were for him. I’d argue and say
they weren’t and sometimes we’d end up exchanging a few brotherly-sisterly
knocks.
My brother is no longer with us and
it’s on days like the Fourth that his memories come rushing back to me. We had
some wonderful times together and I love reliving them in my mind. Like all
people who have lost loved ones, we long for one more moment with them. Everyone
has his own days that those memories are strongest. Mine is the Fourth of July.
Enjoy the fireworks, remember the
meaning of our country behind the Fourth, but most importantly enjoy the
friends and family you share the day with. They are what makes our special days
“special.”
Happy Fourth of July to all of you
(next weekend).
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