Here we are, a day after the Fourth of July, 2009. It has been two-hundred and thirty-three years since our grand country gained its' independence and we have many brave men and women to thank for our still being able to celebrate the day. Because of their service to our country, we are able to watch our parades and gather together for our cook-outs and eat our hot dogs and drink our lemonade and enjoy the peace we sometimes take for granted.
Gommy was honored to be asked to judge the floats and other parade vehicles yesterday at our local hometown festivities. It was too, too cute to see the little faces of the little children who had their bikes all decorated with red, white and blue every things......It was a really big deal to them and it was touching to see their excitement, even though many of them probably didn't realize what we were celebrating! It was also heart-warming to see the parents, who had obviously worked tirelessly on the decorations as well and were just as excited. It was the first parade for many of the kids and it was just plain wonderful to see everyone celebrating and having fun.......
It brought back many memories of Gommys' childhood. My mom loved parades and we watched every Thanksgiving Day parade on TV each year......it was mandatory. And Gommy remembers enjoying the Easter Parades with the Easter Bunny bringing in Spring each year. There were also the yearly 'Candy Cane ' parades held by the local American Legion Post. Gommy can remember the thrill of catching the candy that was thrown by the kids on the floats. Then the last float carried the most important occupant of the whole she-bang......Santa Claus!!!!
The parade Gommy judged yesterday had the same candy thrown from floats. There was the same anticipation from the children standing on the parade route who were trying to catch the flying prizes. There were quite a few adults too who were trying to catch some candy along with reliving some of their childhood memories....
Then, later on in the evening, thousands of people gathered on the beach to listen to music being pumped out into the night air and watch the beautiful firework display. There were families, couples, friends, strangers and all kinds and sorts of people gathered just to enjoy the wonderful night together. There was no fighting or arguing anywhere. There were just people who were sitting on lawn chairs, or squares of blankets, sheets or beach towels side by side watching and oohing and ahhing at the free display and enjoying the music and each other. Gommy could imagine people all over the country who were sitting outdoors at lakes, parking lots, parks or just in their own backyards, who were doing the very same thing.
Gommy feels a whole lot better about our country when people come out and gather for celebrations like parades and fireworks displays......It is a good feeling to see Americans and people from many other countries enjoying and sharing the freedom we are Blessed with in the United States of America.
So Gommy thinks we should all be grateful for another year of the freedom we enjoy and not take it for granted. We should also say a prayer for the men and women who are still fighting for our freedom in those far away countries yet today. May God Bless them and and keep them safe until they can return home. And to all of you........may God continue to Bless you as well.
