The 4th.....

As a kid this day was to be looked forward to. Days before we wanted to go to the fireworks stands and buy fireworks, mainly Cherry bombs, M80's, and Black Kats....preferably 500 in a string. The rest of the day would be spent on Spring River or Center Creek blowing up anything that didn't move. Generally hearing was stymied for a couple of days afterward. Generally a couple or at least one mishap would occur with a firecracker blowing a gash in someones finger or a sparkler burn from the hot metal. We all however survived.

My Mom hated the day. Noise, potential harm to kids, neighborhood Dads drinking too much beer, and general other things Moms worry about. Our dog Inky was terrified of the noise and wasn't seen without her back legs shivering. Good thing it only came about once a year. Depending on the day if the 4th was on a Friday or Saturday we could go out to the golf course and find ruminants of the fireworks casing littering the fairway-true treasure !

Now at 72 I'm glad I had the experiences and wonder of a kids view but it's another day. Some of our family will get together which is fun and I'll probably eat too much which I try not to  do - sometimes works - sometimes not.  On these days I miss my parents...it was a special day for our family groups, all of the moms got together and all of the dads did also. All of the kids were blowing things up. Everyone had a great time. I really miss those times. I guess as I slide down the razor blade of life I can look back and recount the good times which far out weigh the bad. Have a safe day, be with friends and family.