On this day we celebrate by having picnics, bbq's, swimming, baseball, parades, carnivals, fairs, flying our flag, singing patriotic songs, and ending up with a firework display.
When I think about this day I remember how blessed we are to have the freedom to celebrate this way. Or not celebrate at all.
I have a lot of great memories of this holiday. My wish for you as you read this you will think back on fond memories of your celebrations.
One summer we went to Minn. to see some relatives. It was my first time to experience lightning bugs(fireflies) I think I was around 11 yrs old. We went swimming at a lake in the afternoon. Then that night everyone spread out their blankets and we laid on our backs and watched the fireworks. It was a great childhood memory.
Since I lived in San Diego all my childhood. We had a few different places we would go. Sometimes we would go to the Mission Beach jetty and spend the day picnicking and fishing. Then at night we would watch the fireworks from Sea World.
Other times we would go to the beach and spend the day there and again watch the activities from Sea World. We also have gone to the Del Mar Fair spent the day and stayed for fireworks. Sometimes we just went in the evenings and parked along the road to watch. We would spread a blanket out by the car. That was back before 4 lane highways.
One thing all these have in common we always had sparklers no matter where we watched from. Living near Tijuana it was always easy to get them. They weren't sold in booths like Or. and No. Ca. they were banned in San Diego and Tijuana use to be a safe place to go.
I've always been nervous about fireworks even sparklers, as a kid I heard about a little girls hair catching fire and kids fingers and hands being blown off by firecrackers. I took note of this and was very cautious with my brothers and sister, and cousins.
Everyone was always safe we never had any bad accidents. I'm sure it had something to do with my watchful eye.
The year that was really memorable to me was the Bicentennial 1976. Everyone celebrated the whole year. I can't tell you where we actually were that day. Dan and I were newlyweds we'd been married 8 months. So that whole year was full of fireworks for us. TMI I know. My best friend was due to have her baby any day. I believe we were probably with their family having a cook out or something. In those days you didn't find out the sex of the baby, until it was born. But, knowing it was a bicentennial year her dad started calling her Sam you know for Uncle Sam. All year long we referred to her as Sam. Her baby was born July 10. Our bicentennial baby. Wasn't a Sam but Kristie Michelle Crow. One beautiful baby. Ashbie was a Jr. Bridesmaid in her wedding a year and a half ago.
My kids always enjoyed firework displays. I can't remember them ever being fearful. We saw them at the Del Mar Fair, Disneyland, and of course Sea World.
When the grand kids came along. Not so happy. They all seem to be pretty sensitive to loud noises. Each year we thought they'd grow out of it. One year they were down at the port with the Bower family. This time they had ear plugs. Helped a little.
We went to Disneyland in Sept. 2006 for the twins 4th birthday. Well Disneyland has the BEST fireworks display ever. We were at the far end of the park when the show started, oh man 3 screaming crying kids with their hands over their ears like they were in pain. We were trying to make our way to the exit gates, the kids were in strollers luckily. Well when the show starts a lot of people are already on the street curbs watching like a parade. They have streets taped off. When we finally got to Main street people were coming out of the shops, and in some areas were 6 deep. Made it quite difficult to get strollers and my scooter through, all the while the kids are screaming. I must admit it was loud, they do the show along with music. But, the kids screaming was louder I do believe. Not only was it loud. It just terrified them I felt sorry for them.
I think they were OK last year. I do have a few pictures of them at the Port in Brookings.
Well, I hope you had some good memories of your 4th of July.
Remember today why we have our freedom. Freedom isn't free. Our Military throughout the years have fought and died so that we could live free.
Notice the ear plugs, no tears
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