4th of July

Holidays are memorable events where we can recall exactly what we were doing at that particular time a year, two years, or even ten years ago. Fourth of July has always been my favorite holiday. Probably because it involves family, friends, and food.

So I can't help but remember exactly how I spent this day last year. In my bed, a very sick person, texting my sister all night as she updated me on the drunken behavior of friends and family at her barbeque. And I've spent all year looking forward to today, and seeing those people whose lives have all changed tremendously since then; marriages, kids, new jobs, engagements, etc.

And then I can't help but think of the meaning of today and how incredible it seems that this is the one holiday where everyone puts aside everything they believe and just celebrates this country.

So sitting here after my incident free seven-mile hike this morning, sipping alternately between coffee and vanilla Ensure, I wish you a very Happy Independence Day, whatever that phrase happens to mean to you.