Firecrackers!

Today marks 250 years since the forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence. It’s a big deal, should be a big day, right? I am old enough to remember what a big day and celebration the birthday of our country was in 1976, the 200th celebration of our independence as a nation. That was a huge deal, I was 6 years old, and it seemed like communities big and small had fun things, parades, people dressed up. It was fun, and celebratory. This year doesn’t have that feel, and it’s more than just that I am not a kiddo anymore.

The mid 70s had economic issues. I remember gas wars, there was the whole end of the Vietnam war thing which had a heavy feel about it. Things had the adults around us worried, and times were changing culturally. But people still seemed to stop, take a pause, to celebrate that beautiful feeling of independence, and really appreciate what we had when we became a free nation. It’s fun to see pictures people are sharing from that time, and to reminisce about the whole thing.

This year doesn’t feel that way. Kids aren’t running around putting red, white and blue crepe paper on everything, in their bike spokes, and hounding their moms to find their patriotic colored tube socks to wear for the bike parade. Kids don’t seem to notice this to be different from any other day.

The fireworks budget doesn’t really exist for a lot of us this year. Gas prices have raised food prices, which stresses people out. Jobs are tough to come by for many people, because the whole process has changed, You have to jump through computer generated hoops that use AI for screening before you can ever talk to a person. If you are looking, good luck to you, because it isn’t easy.

I hate getting or sounding political, because I believe it only ultimately isolates people from each other. But I am blaming this lack of spirit for the holiday squarely on the current administration. Our current White House occupant is so out of touch with reality, and he has been trying to make sure every single thing focuses on himself for this anniversary. He changed plans that were in the works for years for the celebrations in Washington DC, and it has been poorly received and attended. He went to Mount Rushmore, where he wants to be enshrined with actual great presidents, and the skies opened up and dropped golf ball sized hail on the area, pushing his self-serving event back hours. Mother Nature doesn’t seem pleased with this, as today is supposed to bring 100+ degree temperatures back to Washington, when the Blow Hard in Chief is expected to speak for hours while his cultish admirers swoon and sweat for him, which might just be dangerous for all involved if the heat and humidity are as bad as is predicted.

250 years deserves so much better than this. Instead, they are pushing agendas to try to limit how and who can vote in upcoming midterms, because they are rightfully scared. Things aren’t going well, and people are noticing. An 80 year old man with some pretty apparent health issues, and mental decline, and his staff of inept and/or corrupt people should be worried. They aren’t celebrating our freedoms as much as they are trying to limit them. Or at least that is how it feels, so it is sucking the joy out of room, or country, as it were. Keep paying attention, what comes in the next couple of months is important.

Now that I have cast the shadow on the day, I do want to say that I do love this country, and have been very proud to be an American citizen for my nearly 57 years. A lot of that pride started to manifest back in 1976 when my siblings and neighborhood friends had the time of our lives that summer, running around celebrating the Spirit of ’76. Streamers, bunting, sparklers, firecrackers, flags waving, bike parades, real parades, and civic celebrations are what I recall, and it was fun. It seemed like everyone was caught up in it, and it was glorious. I was young, but it sticks with me. The eternal kiddo in me wishes for kiddos today to have fantastic memories when they hopefully will be able to celebrate the 300th Fourth of July Celebrations in 50 years. I just hope we make it.