The 4th of July has always been special to me. I was born just a few days before, on the same day as my grandpa. Our birthdays, and later just mine, turned into a week long celebration. Some of my best childhood memories were made during this time of parades, parties and fireworks.
The home I grew up in was on the main street in a small ocean town, right across from the water. The view was to die for. The house, a Queen Anne Victorian, a masterpiece. It had a turret, original stained glass windows, chandeliers and the most spectacular staircase. It was flawed for modern living though, as all old houses are. There was no family room, no master bath, the washing machine was housed in my brother’s room, and its formality wasn’t ideal for young kids. But, once a year, for celebrating our countries independence, it was perfection.
The fireworks were set off from a barge directly across from our house. For a dinky little town, we sure knew how to put on a firework display. Each year was fantastic and our porch was the prime location for watching them. My parents would have parties, ranging from large to small. We’d pile on and look below at the folks who had to settle for a street view, vendor’s hot dogs and folding lawn chairs. We ate delicious food, wrapped ourselves in blankets and felt like the rich and famous for a night. I’ll never forget the sight of the bright colors dancing in the sky or the loud bangs as they exploded above “our” beach. It was the best night of the year.
A few short years after I left my childhood home for college, my parents divorced and sold the house. My childhood wasn’t perfect, but somehow that house represents all things good to me. The year our house was sold, the fireworks combined with the next town over and are now set off there. It gives me closure knowing we were the last family to celebrate with that view.
Every year at this time I feel like a little girl again. I long for my home town. I long for the beach, the fireworks and my whole family. I now have the daunting task of building 4th of July memories for my kids. I’ll try, knowing it will be hard to beat what I had.
Impossible, actually.
Originally published July 4, 2008
You know those posts that you wrote way back when only your mother was reading? The ones you wish actual people had read? That’s what Flashback Fridays are for. Don’t have any? How about that old story or photo that you could never find a reason to post? Republish it today, grab a button from my sidebar, sign Mr. Linky and play along! Don’t be shy! I’d love to see what you’ve got…
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
great story :) my grandpas birthday is on the 4th of July .. and mine is on the 13th .. and we always did the same thing .. got together on the 4th and had a big cookout ! but he passed this past February .. so this is the first time in 21 years that i havent spent the 4th with him :/ i think for my flashback friday .. if i an figure out how to do it .. lol i am going to put up the story about my grandpa .
thanks again for the great post .. i LOVED it :)
Kaitlin Johnston´s last blog ..Jack Johnston **
[Reply]
Your house was beautiful. Before we moved to DC when I was eight, we lived in a lovely house. I still have some pictures and remember so much about the little details. I’m a house person and it sometimes makes me a little sad that we’ll most likely never live in a house like that – one with character. But yeah – there is something to be said for modern houses with central air!
Kate Coveny Hood´s last blog ..Why I Hate Being a Truck Driver
Twitter: BigPieceofCake
[Reply]
Lots of good memories to keep with you forever! Happy Independence Day.
T Rex Mom´s last blog ..At the Circus…
[Reply]
That is a spectacular house! Sounds like you had the best childhood memories of this special weekend… and I’m sure your children will have equally memorable, fabulous memories of their own, with great stories to tell when they are older, too.
Loukia´s last blog ..I turn the floor to you!
Twitter: MrsLoulou
[Reply]
Really beautiful. That is the kind of wonderful memory everyone should have at least one of.
Jennifer´s last blog ..Flashback Friday: Walking…
Twitter: jwilliams057
[Reply]
Those Independence Day Porch Parties sound positively idyllic. And, as someone who has ALWAYS wanted to live in a big ol’ Victorian house, color me a very unpatriotic green with envy for your childhood!
Y’know what would be better than being your BFF now? (Well, besides winning a gazillion dollars in the lotto…) Being your BFF on the Fourth of July when you were, say, ten. That would have rocked – I hope whoever held that exalted position still sends Thank You notes. I would…just sayin’. ;)
Ri´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday
[Reply]
Scary Mommy Reply:
July 4th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
LOL, she celebrated with us last night at my dad’s new house. :)
Scary Mommy´s last blog ..Flashback Friday: The Fourth to Me
[Reply]
Sounds like you have some wonderful 4th of July memories. I agree that now we have to worry about giving our kids memorable memories and it is kind of a scary thought. We are off to a local parade which we have done every year so I guess that’s a memory, oh and since we live at the beach we sit there to watch the fireworks every year. We are probably giving our kids awesome memories without really knowing it. Happy 4th!
Mel @ A Box of Chocolates´s last blog ..Five Point Friday – Chili-Turkey Stuffed Zucchini
Twitter: boxofchocolates
[Reply]
Oh, this is a beautiful story, if bittersweet. I hope your family has a wonderful holiday weekend, as hard is it might be to mingle with the lowly “regular” folks and their hotdogs and folding chairs. ;)
Ryan Ashley Scott´s last blog ..Flashback Friday: What were they thinking?
[Reply]
What a sweet picture of you and your grandpa. What a special part of your relationship to have your birthdays close and to share that celebration. I love the idea of Flashback Fridays.
Sandy´s last blog ..Ten Books for Mothers Who Write
[Reply]
absolutely lovely. I’ve always enjoyed this time of year… the smell of burnt firworks, sparklers, hot dogs, and just having fun.
Growing up we always went to a huge party at the same family’s house and now they’re divorced and they sold that property and I’m almost 30. Heh. Though it’s not the same, I can relate to that closure.
Jasie VanGesen´s last blog ..flashback friday, little Jasie edition.
[Reply]
I just loved this post! I would have loved to have grown up in an old Victorian home! Sigh…
Thanks for sharing! I really enjoyed reading it:)
Dawn (Bee and Rose)´s last blog ..What’s the Story?
[Reply]
nothing like celebrating the 4th New England style!
Happy Holiday!
swirl girl´s last blog ..Phourth Of July Photo Phinish
Twitter: swirlgirlspearl
[Reply]
What a lovely post. This just as easily could have been New Jersey as Massachusetts (the Victorian home sounds just like Cape May), and it took me back to my childhood visits to the shore. Maybe things weren’t all picture perfect, but our brains have a wonderful capacity to cast a rosy haze over things. Thanks for sharing!
Laura (aka Mom2Peach)´s last blog ..this post comes with a warning
[Reply]
I think a new generation of memories started for Lily, Ben, and Evan last night. Even with the misfortunes that occurred we were able to have a magical night with the best fireworks in a long time. Beautiful weather, the amazing view, moonlight on the water, and fireworks . There are some more glow sticks that didn’t get used so we can put them aside for next year. Nothing like starting early. Reservations being taken for next year already.[and maybe the swings will be up by then]
Hope you have a sunny and warm week to make up for the rain of this past week.
[Reply]
Flashback or not this was nice.
[Reply]
Oh girl, I loved hearing about where you grew up. It reminds me of a place I would visit every summer growing up (New Hampshire) and I always wished I lived there. I am a sucker for small coastal towns. Just beautiful. You painted a vivid picture and you’re right, it’s nice knowing your fam was the last to celebrate the fireworks in that town.
I am going to look up Swampscott. Was that really where you grew up?>
[Reply]