Celebrations

We have celebrated July 4th in so many different ways. And, for the most part always took them for granted. You wake up, you cook, eat way too much, you shoot fireworks, clean up fireworks, go to bed exhausted. I used to worry about the kids getting hurt with fireworks. Now I worry about the dogs getting stressed by fireworks.

I'm to the age where all the noise of the fireworks is a wee bit irritating. Probably because it's the other people doing fireworks, and not us. Truthfully, we cut our teeth on fireworks. Part of my Dad's job included inspecting fireworks plants to make sure their product was safe for rail travel. You can bet they wanted their inspections to pass muster. So Dad always came home with a trunk full of fireworks. We had no idea how lucky we were.

This year, we are spending the 4th on an Air Force Base with Reno's daughter and son-in-law who is active military. Again, we have no idea how lucky we are. There will be city fireworks, but no personal fireworks. On base it will be quiet and peaceful. We'll still probably eat too much. But, and there is always a but, we will have a celebration of our independence. And, an immense gratitude for those who serve us.