Celebrating the 4th

In Honor of Independence Day, share the following:
1. A memory of celebrating the 4th as a child
2. A memory or tradition that you have in your adulthood for this holiday
3. One thing that you appreciate about our country

Meredith Bennie's Story
1.What I remember the best about the 4th of July as a child was Grandma's flag cake, those charcoal snakes that grow when you like them, a fear of sparklers that burn too low and close to skin for comfort and watching Hershey Park's Fireworks. No, we didn't pay to go see them and squeeze into a congested parking lot that took hours to empty out afterward often... We got a good view of the show sitting right in Grandma and Grandpa's driveway. We also got to watch all of the other things that were being set off by all the neighbors. I can still see it in my mind: the red fence lined with rose bushes, the fireflies out to play, the adults in lawn chairs and the kids running all over the place grateful to have access to a lighted match.
2.Jeff and I haven't established a tradition yet for this holiday in our own family. In the past few years we have gone to stadium of fire and last year we had a blast taking the scooter around to all of the fireworks. It was perfect- we could squeeze that thing in anywhere and make a quick get-a-way to avoid the traffic. This year we will have to start working on a new plan to celebrate because we can't exactly strap our baby onto the scooter!
3.It's difficult for me to express my feelings of patriotism briefly- but here goes. The older that I get, the more grateful I become for the freedoms that we enjoy here in our country. I am particularly grateful for the rights that women now enjoy in the United States. My reading of intercultural literature has truly opened my eyes to the struggles of women trapped in the confines of their own cultures. I am so glad that I have had opportunities to be educated, to embrace my identity as an individual and ultimately for my own independence. Even in more recent years in our country opportunities have become more available for women. Just three generations ago it was incredibly rare for a woman even to go to college. I won't even start on religious freedoms because I could go on all day. True, our country isn't perfect- but living here is a lot better than so many places in the world and I count my blessings!

Kathy Bennie's Story:
On July 4, 1897, my grandmom, Grazia Maida Murgia was born in Sicily. As a young single adult she traveled to the United States to meet her husband. Through mutual friends she did meet a man, Giacchino Murgia, married and had 6 children. As their children married and had children we started having what we now call family reunions every year on July 4th. What grand times those were. My mother had 3 children (Kathy, Joanne, Bobby), Aunt Fran had 4 children (Grace, Ray, Rosie, Joey), Aunt Pet (Petunia to me) had 1 child (Louie), Uncle Lou had 6 children (Grace Denise, Larry, Ralphie, Dianne, Bobby, John), Uncle Ralph had 4 children (Maria, Carol, Roxanne, Ralphie). We were all very close and enjoyed the time together to just play. Usually we would be at Aunt Fran's house and we would play ball in the field. Watermelon was the big treat of the day. We would eat watermelon for the first time that year at the party. So to all family members this holdiay weekend "Happy 4th of July" "Happy Birthday, Granny" You would've been 112 this year. You were and still are the backbone of the family. You were one great pioneer of long ago. Thank you for your stamina and your strength. We have all benefitted from your hard work and your love.
To our beloved Aunt Anna, who never married, we loved her dearly. She passed away this year but she will always be remembered this day for having served her country and for being so very proud she had. Our freedom was very important to her and she lived her life as she wanted. We love you and miss you lots. Thank you for your many memories that you left us with.
My father loved his country. He served it well. He lived an exemplary life serving others always. He never refused to help anyone in need. He even taught Aunt Fran how to drive. Love you dad and miss you.
I am proud to be an American. I am proud of my four sons and I am greatful that they have all been able to serve missions for the church. I am grateful that there has not been a need to call all our young men out to protect this great nation. I am grateful that they are able to be wonderful husbands and fathers to their wives and children.
Happy 4th of July everyone!