I love holidays! And I love them even more when I’m able to celebrate them in my hometown with family. And that’s exactly how I spent the week for Independence Day.
The week started with a family reunion where I learned more about my heritage than I have in any previous years. A cousin has been working on our family tree for quite some time, and brought printed copies for everyone to see this year. It was very intriguing to see my ancestors dating back to the 1700’s. I also found out at the reunion that there is a book containing many family stories. My mom had a purchased a copy several years ago, but I either didn’t realize what it was, or wasn’t interested at the time. And now I can’t wait to read more about my family.
The reunion was followed by Fireworks at the Crosses. It was a fun evening of worship, baptisms, and fireworks with my church family. The church family that I became a part of one year ago, after being baptized at the same event. That’s a story of it’s own that I hope to write about soon.
July 4th was more family time during a cookout and swim. It was a pretty “chill” day, and nice to just relax. Although, “relaxing” in the pool can be exhausting sometimes, so maybe that’s why I crashed afterwards and didn’t even go anywhere to watch fireworks.
Friday was full of baking cookies and getting ready for the fireworks show at Dad’s house. Mom used to do all the baking for the party, while I helped Dad setup outside. But I took over the baking after Mom passed away, so it was a special day to be able to bake in her kitchen. #justjoy
Our family fireworks show is a tradition that’s been going on for over 20 years. One that started out small, with just us and the neighbors in the driveway. Then it grew to the backyard with a few friends and family. And now, it’s an empty lot next to the house with MORE friends, MORE family, and MORE neighbors. It’s also been known to attract a lot of people in town, because the house can be seen from all over town due to the hill that it sits on. Sometimes we can even hear them cheering around town.
The next day was the annual city parade down Main Street. It’s one of those parades that you know exactly what’s going to be in it each year, but you go anyway to visit with people walking down the street. It’s a good way to catch-up with others who are in town for the holiday.
Years ago, it was a family tradition to have a cookout at my Grandmother’s house after the parade. Before she passed away, the cookout had moved to her new house on the farm, so it has been many years since we had it at her house in town. Until this year. My cousin bought her old house, remodeled it, and now we can all reminiscence in the house that our dads grew up in. It was another special day to be able to have the after-parade cookout at the house just like old times.
