Every 4th of July, my family and I would gather at my grandparent’s lake house on Lake Tawakoni. We would spend the hot summer day swimming and skiing only coming back to the house when we wanted to stuff our faces with more bbq, fresh watermelon, and Braum’s ice cream. At dusk, when I was little, I would huddle in my mother’s lap on the large 2nd storey porch and watch as my grandfather launched fireworks from the end of the pier. I would cover my ears and watch in wide-eyed wonder as the sky lit up with dancing colours. After the smoke and noise cleared, fireflies would dot the landscape and I would chase them through the grass, laughing as my grandfather watched. It was tradition. When I was older, and the lake house had passed to my parents, it became a place for friends to gather. More swimming, more bbq, lawn games, sleeping bags on the floor. After the fireworks we would watch movies and tell ghost stories into the night. It’s been over six years since I’ve spent Independence Day at the lake house. The third generation, my nieces and nephew, have taken over the tradition, spending time with their friends and our family while I hear about the fun from over the pond. This year, the lake house is empty. My niece is touring China with the Long Beach ballet company. My parents are celebrating their anniversary in California, and the rest of my family is celebrating at home. Me? I’m celebrating in my heart. I wish I were basking in the sunshine or taking a dip in the murky water of my youth, but instead it’s a normal day in the UK. It’s raining and too cold for a BBQ and I’m working today anyway. I hope all my US friends and family think of me while they fireworks explode and I’ll think of you. Wishing you all a Happy 4th of July. What are you doing for Independence Day? Do you have any family traditions?
First of all, let me start by saying it’s NEVER to cold to have a BBQ. When I lived in Montana, we would BBQ whenever we felt it was appropriate. A huge group of friends would gather and, usually the cooking would fall to me, BBQ whatever game one of us had managed to bring home. It was always fun. I’ve BBQ’d many things in my day, and moose was a delightful surprise.
Second, I love stories like this. My initial thought was maybe someday all of us writer folk, when we’re published and rolling in success, should get together and tell ghost stories around a campfire, and just LIVE a little. At least once. It would be nice. I think I’m going to start a campfire, BBQ something, and tell some stories around the fire with my nieces and nephew. Maybe we’ll start a new tradition. Thanks for sharing. Oh, and good luck with the revisions. I’ll be walking that road soon enough.
I’m watching kids with decorated bikes ride by as I write, heading for our little 4th parade. Our nieces and nephews used to be among them. We used to make floats on my lumber trailer and decorate my truck. It’s a cute tradition, but to be honest I’m glad to be a spectator now.
Happy Expatriot Independence Day, Heather!