The 4th of July has always been a fun holiday. The weather's normally awesome, there's no pressure to buy gifts and we always love the fireworks! So twenty-five years ago yesterday, I gave birth to my own little firecracker, Scott. Since he was due June 19th, I didn't even care that he didn't wait to be born on the fourth. We came home from the hospital on the fourth, and much to my mother's chagrin, I insisted we couldn't miss the fireworks that night. Since my husband was working at an arcade, it was just Mom and me and three little kids, including a 2 day old.
Not much has changed, except my baby is now 25, and we're missing him a lot. We'll be celebrating the fourth, and missing Scooter, with family and friends, much the same as we have for the last two or three decades. How time flies! The kids are grown, and their kids now keep us entertained. We grown-ups are the ones who really miss the fireworks, more than the kids.
We start the day at the Greeley Stampede Parade, largest fourth of July parade in the nation. My favorite is the fighter jets that fly over to start the parade. I choke up every year thinking of how our military is out fighting so we can enjoy our freedom.
Then we walk home (pull a few weeds from my garden) and melt in front of the AC for a few hours and get the feast ready for late in the afternoon. We spend the late afternoon and evening eating and laughing and playing games and celebrating the United State's birthday.
I have two specific favorite 4th of July holidays – Scott's birth year, and 1976, when Colorado had a double celebration. It was Colorado's Centennial celebration, and the United State's Bi-centennial. The whole town was abuzz with celebrations and events and small-town festivities like something in the movies. We had a great time.
Not much has changed, except my baby is now 25, and we're missing him a lot. We'll be celebrating the fourth, and missing Scooter, with family and friends, much the same as we have for the last two or three decades. How time flies! The kids are grown, and their kids now keep us entertained. We grown-ups are the ones who really miss the fireworks, more than the kids.
We start the day at the Greeley Stampede Parade, largest fourth of July parade in the nation. My favorite is the fighter jets that fly over to start the parade. I choke up every year thinking of how our military is out fighting so we can enjoy our freedom.
Then we walk home (pull a few weeds from my garden) and melt in front of the AC for a few hours and get the feast ready for late in the afternoon. We spend the late afternoon and evening eating and laughing and playing games and celebrating the United State's birthday.
I have two specific favorite 4th of July holidays – Scott's birth year, and 1976, when Colorado had a double celebration. It was Colorado's Centennial celebration, and the United State's Bi-centennial. The whole town was abuzz with celebrations and events and small-town festivities like something in the movies. We had a great time.
What is your favorite way to celebrate the 4th of July? For your enjoyment, I hope this short video of the Lyon's fireworks comes through. It's one of my grandchildren's favorite things to do on grandma's computer.
Posts
We like to watch fireworks! I've loved to do that since I was little. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the fireworks video! Makes me excited for tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI hear some going off in town now...a day early.
Great post, Carol!
Hugs
Cheryl
We've had a great day off, getting ready for a BBQ at our house tonight, and am ready to celebrate tomorrow! Can't wait to watch the fireworks and take another video!There's just never enough fireworks. :o)
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July!
ReplyDeleteI live in a town that sits on the shores of a bay connected to the Gulf of Mexico and every year the city pulls a barge out into the bay and sets off fireworks from it. I you want you can go down to one of the parks on the shore and the city will also be playing patriotic music.
ReplyDeleteI'm late chiming in, Carol, but I attended the Greeley parade once years ago and loved it! What a great 4th your town puts on.
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time with you guys on the 4th! Your traditions have become my own, especially the parade as growing up- we never really made it a priority. Now some years (like this one) I go simply for Matt's sake :) I know the boys will enjoy it more & more as they get older too. My favorite 4th of July is a toss-up. Between the year we were in Michigan in 1998 for my family reunion (also helped that I had just graduated), the year both of my oldest friends in the world got married on the 5th. I think that was 2003. We celebrated here with a rehearsal & dinner for one, then headed up to Red Feather for the other with a great time of volleyball (obvious why it's one of my favs), bbq & kareoke :) HA! Also Matt & my first 4th of July together where we set off TONS of fireworks ourselves, remember that? In 1999. Memories. Glad to think that we have years & years to make more memories with you guys. (Even though Matt makes fun of you a little, I love your enthusiasm for the fireworks at every celebration! :)
ReplyDelete