FIRECRACKERS, FRITO CHILI PIE AND FUN!! OH MY!!

I grew up with my three siblings and parents in a small northeast Oklahoma town.  We thought the 4th of July was the hit of the summer.  We didn't spend a great deal of money on fireworks but we did get to buy sparklers, firecrackers, smoke bombs and the like.

Daddy would head out to the firecracker stand and eye the products. He has always been good about getting the most for your money.  We lined up close by and peered over the counter to look at the bounty before us, seeming like a candy store or looking in a department store window in December. It would make us little kids shudder with pure joy.

We had strict rules to follow: don't get near the hay meadow, don't burn yourself, don't hold onto the firecracker too long, don't chase the dogs with them and don't light the sparklers on the cook stove in the house.  Well, we followed most of them. One 4th we sneaked into the house when Mama and Daddy were busy with something at the barn.  We were hoping to light our sparklers early without any hint of us being near Mama's cook stove.  We did it! And we burned little holes right into the linoleum floor! Never did that again!!

The dogs would hightail it under the car or the pickup or try to get under the beds in the house.  But we were having the time of our summer lives.  Mama would fix us a special treat.  She'd cut open little packages of Fritos and put chili on top with shredded cheese.  We'd get to have little bottles of soda pop and usually we had homemade ice cream.  We took turns turning the handle with huge anticipation of the cold dessert taking shape.

Daddy would load up the family as dark approached and head to a smaller community by the lake and we would line ourselves up and down the rock wall awaiting the Big fireworks display! There was a carnival going on at the same time and we might ride a few rides, but our main objective was to see the magic in the sky!!

When we got home we were often too tired to light anymore fireworks or twirl a sparkler in the dark making circles and trying to write our names.  But we always believed there would be next year.

What kind of memories are you making this 4th? Enjoy!! My patients taught me that it's all, every day, a chance to make good memories with those you love.  Hug the babies, pull out the flags, and tell stories about your own childhood July 4th picnics and swimming! Tell the little ones what the 4th of July stands for in the United States.  And if they are old enough tell them what religious liberty means to you.  And for Pete's sake don't light your sparklers in the kitchen! AND wear your life jackets and be safe!!