Happy 4th of July

In 2002, we got a really great deal on airline tickets to Chicago, rented a car and drove along the Great Lakes into upstate New York and Vermont. It was a beautiful trip as we drove back through the Hudson Valley, into New Jersey, then down to Pennsylvania to catch Interstate 80 back to Chicago.

We will never forget the landing into Midway Airport in Chicago, which was on July 4^th. We sat in awe as fireworks from all the various communities exploded below us. We had never seen anything like it.

We live in a very small town known for its beaches, pumpkins and flowers. We live next to fields of flowers and greenhouses. Small town America.

Everyone contributes to the fireworks fund and they are ignited at the harbor for all to see. We usually walk across the highway to the state park and sit on the cliffs to watch them explode high in the sky. That is, unless it is foggy. It is often foggy. This year, the economy has taken its toll and there will be no fireworks. Not enough money was raised.

As with so many small towns, we will still have a parade of kids on decorated bikes, the local school’s marching bands, fire engines, fancy cars and fancy horses.

Today, I will pause to remember that our country began as an experiment. Democracy. Hmmm. People in charge of themselves and their own future. Hmmmm. What a concept.

I pause to thank the Founders for their vision. I pause to be so grateful to live in a country where there is a long list of people from around the world trying to come join us in this experiment and become citizens. I pause to remember that we are not perfect but we are certainly a great country.

I am also a sucker for the televised Boston Pop’s 4^th of July concert always ending with "The 1812 Overture" with fireworks and cannons . Tchaikovsky would be proud.

Enjoy the day.