Yesterday was one of the best fourth of July celebrations I have ever experienced. That is a bold statement since I have experienced a good many Independence Day celebrations. But few have come close the massive family gathering we had yesterday.
I was invited early in the day to my brother’s house for festivities for the evening. There was to be a barbecue, fireworks, children… all sorts of stuff that makes a fourth of July party really cool for everyone involved. There were kids, food, drinks, family, fireworks, laughter… I mean, it has been a while since I have experienced that.
The best part of all of it was that I got to hang with my family for a good while. My kids did, too. Plus we were all able to eat good, drink a little (I stress a little - half a Heineken and a small glass of wine) and play with fireworks. And while I cannot legally say that there were fireworks generally prohibited by the city of Newark, I can say that those fireworks that we did have were freaking exceptional.
The coup de gras came at the end of the night when the old younger boys lit off three magnificent fireworks that gave the entire block a show they would not forget. It was so cool that the Newark Police stopped by the neighborhood to get a peak. Unfortunately for them the show had just ended. Maybe next year guys.
All in all it was a wonderful night. A few hours out of the house spent with family and having fun… I couldn’t ask for anything else.
Except my wife to be with me. But maybe she will be healthy enough to come next year.
Short and sweet, so as to keep my time with my family at a maximum…
Happy 4th of July America!
Celebrate the holiday safely, enjoy any time off you have and cherish the freedoms we, as Americans, are entitled to everyday.
This one is going to be short and sweet. Seeing as I want to enjoy as much time as I can with my children today, I just wanted to say…
Happy Father’s Day!
Now go and enjoy your day today. Lord knows you deserve it. And eats lots of grilled meat. It is what us fathers do on days made just for us.
Happy Mother’s Day to all moms all over the world. If anyone deserves a day it is you.
I can speak that from personal experience, having played mom AND dad more in the past year than ever before in my life.
A lot can be said for the job you all do. In fact, your tangible, cash value of services rendered has been calculated and WOW, are you all worth something or what!
People all over know the value of their mothers. No, we may not always express our knowledge to you. No, we may not even show appreciation for you. But, we always know what you mean to us.
Being a mother is thankless (in much the same way that being a husband and father is) and in that thanklessness lies a serious weight of despair under which many a mother spends her life. I can only offer assurance that though you are not thanked a million times a day as you deserve to be (and often want to be) you are the most invaluable person in anyone’s life.
I applaud you. And I appreciate you. And Sandi, if you are reading this, please do not take this to mean that I am saying this to every mother in the world but you. To the contrary, I am directing this at you first.
Happy mothers day.
Happy fifth of May. For anyone not from Puebla, Mexico or the United States, today is just a regular day.
But if you are from Puebla, Mexico, or you are a Mexican in the United States, today has significant meaning to you. That’s right, today is a day you get to drive around with a huge Mexican flag draped over the front of your truck and a little one flying gracefully from your antenna as you think about the partying you are going to be doing in commemoration tonight.
And what is it again that you are celebrating? Right, didn’t think so.
I remember growing up and asking what Cinco de Mayo was. I remember in my largely Hispanic elementary school doing Cinco de Mayo plays, skits, dances and performances with music and mariachis and the whole enchilada (literally). I also remember not knowing what it was all for.
Apparently Mexico was ruled by the French in the early 1800’s and fought a battle for independence from France. They won a battle, were overtaken shortly thereafter and were still ruled by France for another five years, then finally overcame the French. Wow, how’s about that for an Independence Day?
What I find to be striking is that the greater part of Mexico does not even recognize Cinco de Mayo, let alone celebrate it. In fact, Diesiceis de Spetiembre is the recognized national independence day of Mexico. And oh yeah, that is celebrated stateside just like Cinco de Mayo is.
I am not sure why I am thinking of this or why I am as perturbed by this whole mess as I am. Perhaps part of me feels like it is the Mexican thing to do to NOT celebrate a holiday that has been largely promulgated by America. Or maybe it is because I am a little peeved at how a large segment of people would celebrate a holiday for the sake of having a party (don’t get me wrong, I like parties as much as the next guy, but come one… pushing a party off as an Independence Day…).
Whatever the case, I am almost glad this day comes and goes quickly, with little fanfare. Though I do wish that the Mexican food would stay around a little longer.
Most of the information for this post came from Wikipedia, since I am apparently not Mexican enough to know this through my heritage.