Conquering the Front Yard Plus A Sparkling Sky

Look at this:

It’s a picture of me in my front yard. Me. OUTSIDE in my front yard. I am so happy.

Thanks to my beautiful friends and the glorious fireworks, as well as the whole family of walkers that got me out there! I used Little Guy in the house to get to the back door. I used Joe to help me down the steps. I used Road Guy to get out to the patio and then I used Big Red to walk down the alley to the walkway and to the table in the front yard. Getting onto the walkway is a bit perilous—it’s uneven and not quite wide enough, but you know what? I managed it. I managed it.

I hadn’t been organized about the fireworks. Usually we have a potluck and invite folks over. This year we were beyond last minute and so snagged just a couple of folks. It felt so good to be with them. Well, until the whole conversation about snakes and spiders which I attempted to put the kabosh on. But honestly, it felt perfect. My friends hovered inconspicuously, worrying about me getting out there ok, and had a chair waiting for me. They brought drinks and treats, Heather brought her light up necklaces and bracelets. Eva took pictures. All was right with the world.

I love these people.

I am so damn lucky.

I haven’t sat in the front yard in eons. Last year I watched from inside. The front bed is an overgrown jungle but it has a certain drama because of that. How’s that for a silver lining.

I don’t even think I got a mosquito bite (thank you for the bug spray, Heather)!

As I sat there all the other Fourths we’ve spent here in the house were running through my head. The times the boys were tiny little things. In fact I remember a few in which Ernie and Leo watched from the bedroom because it was just too scary for Leo. Oh, that’s right—I remember that Leo was so scared by them that the next day when we walked outside, he looked up in the sky in wonder, exclaiming, “Daddy fixed the sky, Daddy fixed the sky!” That utter belief and faith in his father just touches my heart. Well, and the fact that he thought the sky was broken…oh, I love him so.

There were years when we had a big crowd and neighbors wandered over. Then there was the year that we were out of town so we gave a house key to our friends and they had the most festive one yet. There was bunting, there were themed napkins. I still hold a bit of a grudge that they had such a good party without us but it’s also one of my favorite memories even though I wasn’t there.

I remember friends pulling wagons filled with food and drink and sometimes a small child or two. I remember when it began to be more adults than kids. I remember last year when we had our beloved Tal visiting and experiencing her first Fourth.

All golden memories, as this year’s will be. Thanks, all.

Onward.

Love,
Cynthia

(oh, and I’m not even getting into the disconnect between the state of our country and celebrating the Fourth…I tucked that away for the evening and just enjoyed myself)

Thanks to Heather and Eva for the photos!