It’s been a long, long time since I had the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day the good ole fashioned way. More than eight years overseas and 15 years since I’ve spent one at home, and I had begun to believe the my children would never know what it was like to grow up in a small town.
Back home, the beginning of July is always a major cause for celebration — a tribute to summer and all it’s fruitful bounties. You might drive up in a pickup truck loaded down with corn and drive away with several bushels of squash or tomatoes or blackberries in exchange. These get together’s on families farm were as much a celebration of life as they were for the 4th of July. My Grandfather’s birthday fell on the 2nd of the month, and growing up I liked to pretend the fireworks and music were all on his behalf; a heavily decorated Army veteran, he was and still IS our hometown hero.
Fast forward a couple decades – my husband and I both now hometown heroes of our own, without a hometown anywhere in sight. Those fond memories of cousins and barbecues and neighbors and all that small town love had all but faded from my memory … until this year. I came upon an opportunity to host a kids craft party with my friend Amy with less than a week’s notice. We called on our local blogging pals and then it hit me, I may live in one of the largest cities in the United States, but community is where you make it.
Our friends came out in full force and suddenly, all those small town feelings came rushing back to me. Mothers were hanging on the porch, sharing stories and sipping sweet tea & lemonade. Kids whom had never met were playing together outdoors, entertaining themselves for hours on end. Thrifted and handmade decor, a few tasty cupcakes and group craft projects made this a really special day for me. I hope with all hopes that these sorts of get togethers continue, spiral even … and that my children, who have no cousins, will grow up knowing what it feels like to play among good friends, have a community that cares about them, and people they can count on whenever they’re in need.
That’s the US I know and love,
and the one I want my children to know as well.
Happy Independence Day everyone
God Bless the USA and San Antonio, the biggest, little city I know.
more details on our party coming soon,
let me know in the comments if there’s anything in particular you want to know more about
{ 11 comments }
![[insert caption here] Let's see what you come up with](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6140/6002585931_ed591a0705.jpg)
