Fourth of July Memory

My favorite 4th of July was in 1965. There were 10 children in my family and I was the youngest. There were 7 boys and 3 girls. I recall buying artificial poppies at 4th of July parades when I was yo

My favorite 4th of July was in 1965. 

There were 10 children in my family and I was the youngest. There were 7 boys and 3 girls. I recall buying artificial poppies at 4th of July parades when I was young and being so very proud of that little poppy. I felt I was helping out the military when I bought one and since I had so many brothers and 6 were in the military at one time or another, I grew to love my country as a small child. To this day FREEDOM is not just a word to me.

On July 4th, 1965, I was expecting my son, but felt good and was hungry, so my husband and I decided we would go on to the huge family picnic and enjoy it as long as we could. It was one of the biggest picnic's I could remember and certainly the best. Everyone was so happy and full of the 4th of July spirit. Wonderful food was spread out over tables. We had gone with a prayer in our hearts that our son would wait until the next day to come into this world as the 4th can be fun, but also exhausting. We had such a great 4th and by the time someone brought out all of the cool watermelon and started cutting it up, my mouth was watering again, so I had a nice size piece and as usual watermelon is delicious, but bloating as well. I began to pray that God would have mercy on me for being selfish enough to go to the picnic and enjoy the food. I didn't overdo, but almost anything to eat before one goes into labor can make women sick after being put to sleep.

God answered my prayers and the love of our life was born on July 5th without all of that sickness. Besides my son and I got lots of attention that we would not have been able to get on July 4th while everyone was celebrating. My husband and I were able to celebrate 2 days in a row. We still celebrate 2 days in a row most of the time. God's gift to us turns 44 tomorrow. Every 4th of July, I remember that picnic and the precious gift from God.

Since that particular 4th of July, we have been blessed with a daughter and our son blessed us with a daughter in law and the most perfect two grandchildren we could ask for.

By the way, AMERICAN PROFILE, thanks for asking.

Barbara Smith

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