The Fourth of July
This morning, Ken and I attended a Pancake and Sausage Breakfast sponsored by a Kiwanis Club in our community. It was held in a large building at our fairgrounds. As we walked in the door, we were greeted by a plethora of red, white and blue. The tables were decorated with that trio of colors and the vast majority of people were wearing those hues, as well.
The pancakes were good, the people cheerful, and the huge room filled with conversation and laughter. The only negative seemed to be the age of the many, many in attendance. I would guess that 90% were senior citizens. Nothing wrong with that but there were only a handful of families with children who were enjoying the event. I wondered why. What a good opportunity to teach children what a service organization does and how a community supports their fund-raising and patriotic breakfast.
Today, there will be parades and picnics, barbecues at home and, of course, fireworks once the blazing sun goes down. We will be pushing 100 degrees once again but that won't keep everyone indoors.
Do you remember how you celebrated Independence Day when you were growing up? Is there a family story you could write to include in your Family Stories Book? Was there one especially memorable 4th of July?
I'll close today with a short poem published in an anthology celebrating various holidays. Enjoy the day but be safe.
Fourth of July Parade
Celebrate the red, white and blue.
On this day, keep it in all you do.
Blow the bugle and beat the drums,
march proudly wherever you’re from.
Remember the patriots who steadfastly tried,
and all those souls who readily died.
Scores perished so that we may be free
to worship God, not king, on bended knee.
Carry the flag proudly this exceptional day.
“I’m an American” you can happily say.
Move on with a steady step and head held high.
Let your heart swell as you look to the sky.
This is our Independence Day celebration—
the blessed birthday of, this, our own great nation.
--Nancy Julien Kopp
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