What does Fourth of July mean to you?

Bronwen and I discuss this every year, but this year it is more relevant.

I grew up with community 4th of July celebrations for as long as I can remember.   We moved to my grandparents in Kingston when I was in Kindergarten. I recall riding on the Kingston Yacht Club parade float with my sister. My grandparents were very active in the club.

We did the Kingston thing for a few years, then moved to Edmonds.  I can recall riding my bike in the parade one year. My mom, probably with her hands full of Crista, brought me and my bike to my Aunt Helens house in downtown Edmonds.  My bike was decorated with red white and blue ribbons.  I don't recall much of the actual parade though.

We moved to Bainbridge Island after that.   From early on, I was a part of the Bainbridge "Grand Old Fourth".  My cub scout troop was in the parade one year.   It was just a part of our lives, a part of every summer.  I remember one year my neighborhood friends mom  set up a booth to sell pottery and how Kenny and I helped set up but mostly ran around and did our own thing.

Once I graduated High School, the 4th became a reunion of sorts as we wold see our friends who had moved on, or friends we simply didn't see much.  

I became close friends with Glenn after high school and started attending his 4th of July event afer the parade every year.  We would all watch the parade, then go to Glenn's where his mom, Doris would make enormous amounts of food. 

We got older, and began a new tradition of drinking margaritas during the parade in the parking lot of San Carlos.   The Bennett sisters, who also had their own 4th event, would always show up.

Even after getting married, and having kids, the traditions continued. I can remember Jessica, barely able to walk yet, swinging wildly on Glenns laundry pole.   We would play crochet in the backyard.

Eventually I wasn't married anymore. But the traditions never stopped.   One year my girls and I marched in the parade dressed up as Girl Scout cookies to promote their girl scout troop!

I split my time with their mother and always made time for them on the 4th.  We would walk around and see the booths and decide which snack we wanted.

The last few years has been guy time for the 4th.   I moved into a house right down the street from the parade and hosted parties every year with my friends.  One, the first year, was the biggest.  Classmates Mike H, Doug T, Rob V, Jim, Mark K and Kyle came over!  Along with Winslow friends and even Jessica!  It was a lonnng day.  The time between parade and fireworks is really long!

Now,  living back in Seattle, I still make the trek every year.   Last year I missed the 3rd Street Dance, and was a bit disappointed that many regular friends I see were not there. Minsters and Bennetts both were not there.

This year, my kids are not going to be in Winslow for the 4th.   This is how our yearly discussion started this year and lasted longer.

Bronwen grew up in the city of Seattle.  They had no community parade, or booths.  They only had the Fireworks.    Her fourth of July experience is being at home with family, Dad making a huge meal in the patio.

Neither is wrong of course, but my community 4th's have been a huge part of my life, as well as one of the best parts of my life.

While writing this, my friend Mike who moved into my old place in Winslow, emailed me to tell me he won't be home this year for the 4th!    So the wheels are falling off as I write this!

I believe that Fourth of July IS a community event. It's a time for us to come together and celebrate our independence and a time to see friends and acquaintances we don't see often enough.  Parades, food and craft booths, music,  dancing and of course fireworks,  are the American way to celebrate.