Many years ago, we had a national celebration of the 4th of July on the 4th of July. Isn't that a novel idea? I know, people like to have a long weekend but there was something special about a holiday that got celebrated whatever day the 4th landed on. We would picnic, swim, gather with family and then when all the kids were exhausted from running around and sweating all day, we all packed up and went to our special place to join with Americans all across the country for an extravaganza of lights and "ooh" and "ahh" together. The fireworks ended, traffic got tight and the kids were asleep before we got home. What an awesome day we shared as a family and even as a country. We have messed with that holiday and now a person can hear fireworks on a variety of days for nearly a week as towns and cities have them whatever day they see fit. For me, it seems to not be so special a day, certainly not one that is as big a family day as it used to be.
There was a specialness in all of it, even a closeness as we celebrated something wonderful with those we love. We all set aside time to be togetehr. I remember being at a lake with all my cousins, aunts, and uncles. We kids did our best to run until we were dripping with sweat. I can still picture my dad and Uncle Bob at the water pump filling paper cups with water and dousing each of us with the cool liquid. We all screamed with delight as we cheered our favorite champion on. We laughed until we needed more watermelon to re-hydrate. Mom always made all of our favorite treats and made sure we didn't do anything stupid - which we always managed to anyhow. Life was good and such summer days were what one looked forward to.
Those thoughts took me back a couple years when we lived at the beach. I miss those hot summer days when we would see more varieties of license plates than at any other time of year. Ontario, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Texas, New Jersey, Quebec and on and on. I absolutely loved seeing these families come to the beach. Some days, I would wander through Walmart and watch them shop. I would see parents and kids of all ages running up and down the aisle looking for beach toys, towels, picnic snacks, and such. They ran with a joy and energy that would get me excited. They scurried and squealed and loaded their carts as if the sand would soon wash away and be no more. I would see families hurrying around Publix's grocery planning the best way to load the refrigerator in their temporary island home with their favorite edibles. I would see them make the trek from the parking to the beach with all their beach luggage and toys. At times, the size of their load would remind me of the Grinch's sleigh when he stripped Whoville of Christmas.
Often during the week, I would take one small beach chair and a book and casually wander to the beach. I would find my special spot, place my chair, sit, and open my book. I would read for two or three minutes and predictably lose focus and sit and watch families and lovers cherish and treasure every moment at a place I enjoyed and treasured every day. I always felt so blessed, that come week's end, I would not have to pack up and head away from the place I loved so much.
Their joy and excitement filled me with even more joy and excitement. Their energy and togetherness excited me. At times it made me miss being able to regularly share that special place with those I loved, particularly on Sundays. Many who lived on the island left for the summer but I looked forward to being able to live among the excitement, energy, and expectation those visitors brought with them. It was great to see families being families and sharing special times and moments together.
For some of us, summers race by leaving not a trace of a special memory. Here we are coming into the best times of summer and I always think of those days at the beach and just last night the old 4th of Julys. Sad that we might trade such things for things less meaningful and cherished. Sad, indeed.
Maybe this summer, we could work extra hard to make this summer one of those unforgettable ones. Perhaps a summer like I remember with dad and Uncle Bob having a water fight or even the Splash Olympics at Lake James in Indiana, with Uncle Bob, of course. He set the standard for crazy fun stuff ever since I was a little kid. Perhaps we can make time with one another a priority, no maybe a delight and something to look forward to and treasure once it was over. Maybe this year we can picture our selves sitting on a couch one 29th of July listening to 4th of July fireworks thinking back to those special times with those we love and being so happy we made the time and effort.
Thank you to all of you who made summers special for me. I am grateful for a lifetime of special memories.
Have a great summer!! Love to you all.