And I know why you feel this way Pat...because I feel the same way.
This holiday stands for so much more to us. A day of burgers and hot dogs, of outdoor barbeques, block parties, lawn chairs, pool parties, fireworks and festivities are all ways that Americans celebrate our Independence, our freedom. Since that first fourth of July the world has turned upside down so many times. Year after year not stopping its revolution.
When I was a kid my Papaw and Granny hosted our entire family for a Fourth of July Reunion. Papaw is the oldest of ten children and all of his brothers and sisters would gather at their house with their families. We all added up to be quite a large clan. Tables filled with food with aunts and cousins who were delighted to hear: "Who made this pie? It's great." Or "wow, that's good!" People would park all around my Grandparents property to watch the fireworks display. We always had an old fashion singing when many members of the family would sing anything from the latest pop song to The Old Rugged Cross. You just named your own poison. Kids running wild playing hide and seek with their mother's and grandmother's shooing them out of the house to keep the doors closed and the flies out.
Yesterday my sweet Aunt Pat, Papaw's youngest sister, mentioned her sentiments for him on her facebook page. She and my uncle Rodney and their boys were fixtures at these gatherings. When I read her words a flood of memories passed through my mind. Memories of Papaw dressed like Uncle Sam but really highly regarded as Uncle Gene. Our faithful patriarch delivering Independence Day remarks and emceeing the day's events; usually failing to mention that he himself was a veteran. I am not all together sure if he knew then or even now what a hero he was an is to all of us. I go back there today in my mind to a house nestled on Highway 62 and this is the destination of many of my dreams. Hearing my Granny's laughter as she made everyone feel at home and loved. I go back there today gladly as I do is so many of my thoughts. Knowing that that place will be one of the places that will always be mine and reading this morning that it was also someone else's place, my Aunt Pat's, just made me smile.
There were families large and small all over this great country celebrating this weekend. Getting together with the ones they loved to commemorate a day that means more than fireworks, burgers and hot dogs. A day that at great risk the four fathers and mothers (I might add) struggled to create. The seeds that they planted then, have sprouted and grown, bloomed and spread like a wild fire. Their vision has become a land of ideas, opportunity and exploration. Although our people and our country have seen brighter days economically we are still a proud and strong group of people. We are told in schools as early as most of us can remember that when General Cornwallis surrendered to Washington at Yorktown in 1781, the band played "The World Turned Upside Down." How fitting.
From the roof top of a building in Austin, Texas, I watched the sparkling lights of yet another fireworks show. And although I was many miles away my mind drifted back to Papaw and Granny's. On that day it always will, that day was and always will be theirs. A day that for so many years they planned and put together one of the most fun events. A day that they did something that they did so well and loved so much - surrounded themselves with people.
Pat thank you for taking me back there again today…it's a journey that is a pleasure to make. Thank you for always being one of the smiles that I couldn't wait to see on the Fourth. For your songs, the skits at the community center in 92', and so much more. We have been truly blessed.
From miles away in the midst of a move that seems to have been a long time coming, my world too has turned upside down. But these thoughts as they usually do, brought a smile to my face and a warm feeling in my heart. A thankfulness for my family and for my love of country. A gratefulness for Papaw and his speeches on the Fourth - for each word he has ever spoken to me and for everything he has done for me. I think back with a big smile of those bright days when Granny was up and going, well and happy. The days that she was truly in her element. Moving and shaking, smiling, laughing, organizing and arranging to make everything right. And after all this I want to drag those old movies out and watch them over and over again. If only to reacquaint myself with such a happy time. But for now I don't need those family movies because my mind is working fast with thoughts of those happy days that we knew on the Fourth of July. In a quaint town in western Kentucky called Dawson Springs. A place that always makes my heart tender. A very special place.
Thank you Pat.
No comments:
Post a Comment