Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Magic
I opened my eyes. The air was snapping with the excitement and promise of the day. I breathed deep. It was the Fourth of July. It has been many years since we have lived in that house with that yard, that pool, and those friends. Still, when I think of the Fourth of July, I think of my childhood and the best day of every year.
The holiday started early and ended late. Friends old and new gathered at hour house annually to celebrate. Our house and yard smelled like hot dogs, chlorine, sweat, sunscreen, and cookies. There was an abundance of food. My brothers and sister and I had our best friends and were thoroughly entertained. My mom would smile as she hosted the event easily, chatting with her friends, some of whom she only saw this one day of the year. My dad manned the grill, drank beer, and played horseshoe with the men. The day progressed in a hot July haze, kids and adults alike in and out of the pool.
Dusk is when the magic happened. Tired and burnt from the festivities, mothers and children settled together for the show. The fathers set off the extravaganza of fireworks into the country sky while we watched in wonder, snuggling just a little closer to our moms and holding our ears. Finally, the last sparkler is out, the last firework gone, and the smoke is settling. My parents see our guests off and thank them for attendance. I don't ever remember going to bed. I'm sure I was carried there and tucked in by my dad. The next day all is as it was. That's all we got. Just one magical day for the whole year.
I didn't do anything for the Fourth of July yesterday. Kevin was working. When it stopped raining, I put out the flag and stared at it awhile as it hung heavily in the humid air. I thought of what the day used to mean to me and wondered where the magic went, wondered if I would find it again.
I opened my eyes. The air was snapping with the excitement and promise of the day. I breathed deep. It was the Fourth of July. It has been many years since we have lived in that house with that yard, that pool, and those friends. Still, when I think of the Fourth of July, I think of my childhood and the best day of every year.
The holiday started early and ended late. Friends old and new gathered at hour house annually to celebrate. Our house and yard smelled like hot dogs, chlorine, sweat, sunscreen, and cookies. There was an abundance of food. My brothers and sister and I had our best friends and were thoroughly entertained. My mom would smile as she hosted the event easily, chatting with her friends, some of whom she only saw this one day of the year. My dad manned the grill, drank beer, and played horseshoe with the men. The day progressed in a hot July haze, kids and adults alike in and out of the pool.
Dusk is when the magic happened. Tired and burnt from the festivities, mothers and children settled together for the show. The fathers set off the extravaganza of fireworks into the country sky while we watched in wonder, snuggling just a little closer to our moms and holding our ears. Finally, the last sparkler is out, the last firework gone, and the smoke is settling. My parents see our guests off and thank them for attendance. I don't ever remember going to bed. I'm sure I was carried there and tucked in by my dad. The next day all is as it was. That's all we got. Just one magical day for the whole year.
I didn't do anything for the Fourth of July yesterday. Kevin was working. When it stopped raining, I put out the flag and stared at it awhile as it hung heavily in the humid air. I thought of what the day used to mean to me and wondered where the magic went, wondered if I would find it again.
