Up until last year, we had a tradition of spending the 4th at the ASW Base in San Diego, where we partied all day with other military families, and then had a front row seat on the water for the fireworks that night. It was always a blast. Last year, we opted for the small town feel of the pancake breakfast and homemade parade with friends of ours in the Imperial Valley. We loved it!
This year was different for a couple of big reasons. For one, we were celebrating our country while living in another. There are plenty of Americans here, and we could have opted to attend "Americafest" on the Air Force base...but this year had me a little more reflective and less festive.
In the line of work that Cliff is doing, I am hyper-aware that the sacrifices that gave our country birth, are now being made by our countrymen so that others might have the hope of enjoying the same freedom in their own countries...someday. Just as I sometimes feel lonely as "life goes on" for those around me while I am aching with Cliff's absence...I can only imagine what those families are feeling whose loved ones are gone until "who knows when", but yet life marches on around them.
While I've always been drawn to headlines of our service member casualties, this "behind the scenes" experience has made me even more attentive, and also aware that most of these deaths go unnoticed, only reported when it's either a slow news day, or particularly catastrophic. They have not gone unnoticed here. I am so grateful for the small part that Cliff is playing in respecting and honoring their sacrifice...and that our family plays in supporting him...even when we have to do it from afar.
Gosh, I didn't mean for that to sound so gloomy...I just wanted to pay the occasion proper respect. We didn't just sit around feeling sorry for ourselves, I promise! Here are some highlights from our day:
We had a lovely barbecue on the back patio...
With very good food, I must say.
We had stimulating conversation...
And the day was lovely, despite having to protect ourselves from hordes of mosquitoes.
But it would have been lovelier for Brownie if she had sirloin burgers in her bowl instead of the usual kibble. It's tough being a dog. I think she's planning her own list of grievances for her declaration of independence.
When night started to fall, I was feeling a little longing for a parade...
Which Patrick was happy to oblige.
Coree played the part of a clown...
And Troy enjoyed the show with me.
Performing is tough work, but Patrick doesn't want to disappoint his fans.
We took a vote on whether we wanted to sit in traffic for 2 hours after the fireworks, or climb Habu Hill and watch them in our own backyard. Habu Hill won. Here we are making the climb...and finding some fireflies along the way.
Fireworks fail.
While we could hear them clearly, only a few peaked over the treetops for us.
Luckily, Jake had a few sparklers from the 100 Yen...
And he put on a show of his own.
Happy Independence Day, America!
May we continue to plant the seeds of democracy for the whole world to experience their God-given right to freedom!
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