I absolutely love the 4th of July! It brings back so many sweet memories of my Grandma. My dad grew up in rural Illinois and we only got to see my Grandma once a year and it was always over the 4th of July. Early in the morning, we would wake up strudels and donuts, followed by a day of swimming at a friend’s home. A big dinner of grilling hamburgers and hot dogs would follow our swimming festivities.
Their small town of West Frankfort would host a band concert in their small town park pavilion. We’d pop a giant bag of popcorn, load up blankets, lawn chairs, bug spray and sparklers and head to the park. The local band would play show tunes (in which my grandma would always sing along and wave her American flag), patriotic songs, and the last song would be The Star Spangled Banner. As the fireworks lit up the sky we would ohh and ahhh.
I am so thankful for these incredible memories with my Grandma. She’s been gone for almost 20 years, but the 4th of July always brings me back to being 10 years old, rolling and laughing in the grass with my sisters, listening proudly to my uncle belt God Bless America on his clarinet, and walking hand in hand with my grandma as we headed home.
May the memories of this holiday be sweet as you celebrate this great country we get to call home.
