Yesterday was a national holiday, the Independence Day of the Fourth of July. This is one of the beloved holidays because it is in the mid-summertime. It is a very patriotic holiday that is celebrated the Declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776, 246 years of peace and to commemorates the republic of United States. I waited for this day because of all reasons above, and the community spirit that lifts us up with parties and speeches, parades and family gatherings, and perhaps most of all the extravagant firework displays.
On this day, everyone parks in whatever location on the side of the road, and there are no tickets issued, because policemen are busy helping to cross the street families with small children. Love is in the air! Families from each street are in a hurry to get to the beach where the firework is situated in a safe zone on the beach's sand and close to the oceanic water.
Today, the day after the holiday, only few cars are passing by on the street. I guess people took the prepaid long weekend off, or some people worked longer hours to make up the hours. It all worse to have a mini-vacation time with the family. The community firework at the beach is a great experience as people were putting up family tents and got the best seat for the free glorious and victorious show. People were standing in crowds, hanging from balconies, seating on the beach towels, children were running around, and dogs were burking from the loud shooting. Some teenagers went in the water to refresh. Almost everyone arrived in red and blue, and white beach attire. Looks like everyone got the same idea. It is great that people are taking time off to enjoy a long weekend. Sometimes those extra days off can be really rejuvenating! It is truly magical experience of watching the colorful lights in the night sky.
I will tell you about my favorite memory from the Fourth of July. Many years ago, when we bought the house, and my mother was spending July with us, we all were eating the delicious ice cream cones outside, at the fence, facing the street. My mother was seating on the chair, and we were watching the night sky's fireworks in magical colors. Also, we had another summer treat that became our family tradition - eating cold watermelon to satisfy the desires of a hot summer night in July. The best part in this story is that we did not have than the tall buildings across the street and could watch the fireworks from our house. Today, the surrounded landscape changed, and the Four-Season hotel took over the entire beach side. The tall buildings block the not only the view, but also the holiday's fireworks in the beautiful night sky. It is bittersweet! It is amazing how memories from the past of simple times can bring back such strong emotions! Cherishing those moments, when the sky felt endless, and the beach views were unobstructed, can be a beautiful way to hold onto the past.
Reflecting on the past experiences, can bring various feelings such a nostalgia of past good times, feelings of regrets, but it is important to focus on gratitude for what you have and the person you have become. Embracing each present day in the holidays, and days after it, with the sense of happiness and gratitude, is a wonderful way to appreciate life's blessings.
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