Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Firecracker, Firecracker!

One of my favorite holidays is right around the corner: the Fourth of July!


Of course, Independence Day is extra special to me because it is the day of my birth!




The story goes:


After I was born, my parents called my grandparents from the hospital and announced,

“Firecracker!  Firecracker!”

I was here, and I was independent!



 
My memories of Fourth of Julys growing up take place in a small town that holds a special place in my heart.  We watched the parade, had a picnic in the park, went diving for pop cans in the swimming pool, caught candy dropped from an airplane overhead, ran through neck-high bubbles in the street coming from the fire hose, enjoyed a ‘flag cake’ made with blueberry ‘stars’ and strawberry ‘stripes’, and capped the night off with a fireworks show and firecrackers of our own.  It was the BEST.



And now this year, an important milestone is taking place-

I am turning 29…. Again.


(Yikes!  I remember when my MOM turned 30.  Now, it is my turn.) 



 
It’s a little scary, but exciting at the same time.  We plan to spend the holiday with our friends and their families at a cabin boating on the lake, having campfires, and watching parades and fireworks.  We’ll be making memories of our own with the next generation of kids. 

I am exactly where I want to be; exactly where I dreamed of being while growing up.  Hey, thirty is A-OK.