The Fourth
We had a lovely Fourth of July. Of course I am an idiot and make things hard on myself. I decided to have appetizers instead of a traditional dinner so went with bruschetta. This would have been fine if I hadn't decided on ten different toppings. I kid you not. I ended up with eight and half of them weren't even very good. Oh well....it was fun despite me! Everyone brought wonderful things to share. Thanks so much to those that came by...for food and drink...as well as for the fireworks.
I kept thinking about how many times we have sat in our yard over the years, and watched the neighborhood fireworks. It made me think of the times my parents would come over and watch them with us. One year I got worried sick because they were so late. They finally got there and it turned out it was because my mother had decided to make gumdrop cookies for the boys. My mother did NOT like to bake but gumdrop cookies were the cookie of choice for the Voelkl girls so she thought her beloved grandsons should have some. She was so pleased with herself.
I watched sweet Eva run to her father when the fireworks started, saying Da-da and reaching out her arms. He scooped her up on his lap and she snuggled her head into his shoulder, one arm around his neck. For a second I could only feel jealous. It made me miss my father. There is no replacement for that love and that feeling. Lucky Eva.
I watched Rebecca reading to the three girls. Rebecca is always beautiful and possibly even more so when she is pregnant, and watching her patiently read to them, for a moment I thought longingly of all the time I spent reading to the boys. Then I paused and thought, Good God I'm glad I don't have to do that anymore..... The first time was always fun....but the second and the third and the fourth and the.....
Friends....