I love the fun of the 4th of July celebrating our nation's birth and patriotism. This year though was more of a celebration of lives lived and an end to a beloved family tradition -
watching fireworks at Grandma-Great's. My husband's grandparents bought a sweet little home in 1953. Just beyond their back fence is a lovely park where their city's fireworks show is every year. I regret we didn't get to go every year but Jason and I went many times since we've been together.
There have been many 'first time without grandma' going on since she passed away a few months ago and for me this one was a bit more difficult. I was fine when we got there but Jason gave me a tour of the yard he practically grew up in, relating to me the stories of what happened and where. I realized that it was the last time he'd likely have to be there doing this. It was a play-land of happy memories. Nearly every nook and cranny had a story. It made me think of all the kids that grew up there with their own stories too (his mother and all her siblings). It was a true family home and sometime next year it will likely be sold and be given a breath of new life with someone else's family.
I took a picture of each site (I will only post a few) Jason related a story about. I won't go into any major detail because they are his stories to tell. My favorite though was the burial ground of his very well loved stuffed animal, Snoopy, he had named Dog. He loved it so well nearly all the beads had fallen out and it had become quite raggedy. It was time to let Dog rest in peace so they buried him in the back yard. Jason thinks he may have been about 5 years old at the time. So sweet.
The fireworks show was great. Rachel had a grand time playing with some cousins but when we asked her to sit and watch the fireworks, her response was, "I had enough of fireworks. I want to play now." My kid cracks me up.
In all that went on, my favorite part of this 4th of July was spending time with my husband, hearing all the stories of his childhood. Time moves on, things change, but we will always have our memories.
