Celebration brings us all together

Summer is officially here. Although the calendar says it’s early July, it feels more like late August, except that the grass isn’t crispy yet. In a couple of weeks the fireworks that have been scaring the cat will be mercifully silent. Until then, we will try to ignore the pops and booms that rip through the air at random.

When we first moved here I was surprised that fireworks were available to anybody. I was used to sparklers being the only thing legal that spewed fire.

I confess, I was terrified of them. The idea of holding onto a flaming stick and waving it around seemed only slightly safer than confronting our rooster that protected the hens from everything and every one, especially me.

I think back to the year that we went to Mom’s girlfriend’s house to watch fireworks. Their home was in a perfect location for viewing. Actually, it was a bit too close to the display. Several times during the evening our hosts had to turn the hose on and wash embers off the roof.

One year we were in Memphis for the Fourth of July. The streets were packed with people watching the celebration. We were in the middle. Normally being in a crowd like that makes me uneasy, but all eyes were turned towards the same place. The ooh’s and aah’s came in unison as the fireworks lit up the night sky. No frowns were to be found.

Later this week we will drive to the fairgrounds to watch the fireworks. We will ooh and aah at the spectacle and point out the ones we think are the prettiest. We will engage in people watching and silently wish that our loved ones were with us instead of halfway across the country or gone from this world. Then we will return home after being assured that families still let children play, and that at least one toddler will sleep through the whole exhibition.

In addition to celebrating our country’s birthday I will look around at all the people gathered together. It doesn’t matter who they voted for or against. It doesn’t matter what color their skin is. It doesn’t matter what they do or do not believe. It doesn’t even matter if they are citizens.

The fireworks displays all across this land are for all of us. The explosions, picnics, parades, and all the other ways we celebrate bring us together like few other holidays do.

So what are we actually celebrating? A day off of work? A chance to play with fire? Our country’s birthday? The idea that we really can come together without violence or name calling?

Technically, we are celebrating the Declaration of Independence. In June of 1776 the Continental Congress met to draft a document that would declare our independence from Great Britain. After  revisions and alterations the Continental Congress adopted the final version on July 4, 1776.

One year later, Philadelphia marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks. The custom eventually spread to other towns, where the day was marked with processions, speeches, picnics, military displays and fireworks. The bells apparently went out of style as did the bonfires.

It wasn’t until 1870 that congress established July fourth as an official holiday and in 1938 it became a federal holiday.

We are celebrating what could be. We are celebrating our ideals. We are celebrating our independence from the rule of a small island. For one day, we come together and try to be the people we think we are.

On the other hand, Gracie, the calico cat, is celebrating the fact that those mysterious and scary sounds are almost over for the year.