Fourth and Fireworks

As many of you do, we celebrated the close of this wonderful National holiday with a fireworks display. We turned out the lights, pulled up our chairs and watched out the kids' bedroom window. Not so traditional but way fun!

We live in an interesting little neighborhood. We belong to none of the cities that surround us. We are "unincorporated." We belong only to the county. This is nifty. It makes for really low tax rates comparatively. It is also very neat for those who love to shoot fireworks. Here they are legal. This year, more so than ever, I am convinced that people must come in by the busloads to take advantage of this.

Now in the past you would have heard me saying things like,

"Ooooh, it's so noisy. How rude!"

Or,

"That is so dangerous. Someone is going to set my house on fire."

And maybe even,

"I wish they would make it illegal."

I still admit it is quite noisy. Much like I imagine a Civil War battlefield must have sounded. And it is potentially dangerous. It does make me nervous still. But tonight I was actually thankful. I was thankful for my firework happy neighborhood for the first time in the almost eight years we've lived here. I was thankful that it wasn't illegal.

After baths and story and prayers, my excited little ones jumped at the opportunity to turn off the lights and roll up the blinds for an extra special treat! It was quite spectacular. We all enjoyed the sight. I am so glad these people decided to spend money for our viewing pleasure. And even when I needed to go feed Michael in his nursery, all I had to do was open the blinds of his big window, settle myself in the rocker and enjoy a completely different display from the one the kids were enjoying in their room. What fun.

We oohed and aahed, gasped and giggled. It brought back fond memories of Fourth of July firework displays as a child. I loved doing the same thing with my mom. I loved trying to decide what each type of firework reminded us of - fireflies and growing hair. Tonight I was a kid again for a short hour. It felt so wonderful to be in that moment with my kids. To enjoy their enjoyment and to see the world through their eyes. It was a delightful ending to a fun day. And all in the comfort of my own home.

So from now on I will be thankful for the firework frenzy each July 4th and December 31st. I won't stop worrying about its safety. I will continue praying for our safety and that of our neighbors. But I think I will worry a little less and enjoy a little more. Hmmm. Seems like I could use to apply that to other areas of my life.

Oh, and next year, I think I'm going to give some money to the guys a street over so they can purchase some more of those great big sparkly ones.

Happy Fourth!