The 4th of July!

Today is the 4th of July.

When I was growing up we didn't have many traditions applied to Independence day.  As kids in Illinois, we would go to my Grandma's campground and watch the fireworks over the lake. I remember being very small, butted up to my Grandmother's side, watching her watch the sky and knowing that she was enjoying the colors and lights and the booms as much as I was. That is really the only fireworks related memory I have from my childhood. The four years we lived in Oregon we never saw a firework due to the strict fire codes. And when we were back in Illinois, I guess I was simply uninterested in seeing them. Too old, or some such. By the time I met Scott I'm sure it had been at least five years since I had seen fireworks. 

The first time I visited Scott's parent's home was on New Year's Eve. The place was packed. There was a bonfire and food. Scott and I bonded over our shared disgust of cheese balls. Every one was having a spectacular time, especially Scott's uncle, Russ. He got to play with one of his favorite volatile toys, fireworks.  When most people have their own fireworks display neither the fire or the works ever leave the earth. Uncle Russ may or may not have a fireworks license and he definitely has access to enormous, professional fireworks. He gives the best fireworks show I have ever seen. It lasts twice as long as any of the small towns around here and I'm sure it could rival even the biggest metropolis with the pure excitement of having the explosions in such close proximity. My very favorite part of the show doesn't happen in the air, though. My favorite part is 150 yards out in the field.  There stands a wooden, flat bedded wagon, piled with powders trapped in boxes, waiting for fire to set them free. Gathered around the wagon are Uncle Russ and his assistants (the favored few). In their hands are lit flares, brilliant, hot pink light illuminates the dark figures. They light fuse after fuse and send bouquets of light up into the dark sky. Soon the field is filled with smoke and the light from the flares colors it pink. It makes me think of a battle. The smell of the gun powder, the smoke, the shadowy silhouettes of men with explosives. Sometimes there are accidents. Twice I've seen a fire start where it should not have started., fireworks shooting in directions that were not up. Once a girl got a hot ember in her eye. Once someone was burned by a flare. It's wonderfully dangerous.

I've had four 4ths with Scott's family and every one has been exciting and amazing and just FUN! Today is my fifth. Today, there are no fireworks. Not sure why, but it was decided that the display would not happen. I am profoundly sad. I really love fireworks now and I know that there is nowhere and no one who can make Independence Day as exciting as it is at my in-laws house. It's hard, on holidays with strong traditions, not to feel empty when the traditions aren't observed.

We are moving to Texas in less than a month. I don't know if I will ever get to see Uncle Russ do fireworks ever again. I hope I do. It's just not the 4th without them.

Happy Independence Day! 

Jenny