It looks like Springtime ended just in time for the 4th of July.
Now the temperatures are up, and we are finally back to building. Almost all of our 55+ communities have experienced some major slowdowns this year with the excessive rains that we’ve seen.
Now we’re finally celebrating the fact that work is resuming as per usual, but speaking of celebrations, happy Independence Day!
Yeah, we have a lot to be thankful for. How are you spending your week?
How Do You Celebrate Independence Day?
History
One of my favorite things to do is learn from stories. Given the holiday, a few come to mind. I remember attending the Timpanogas Storytelling festival a couple years ago and learning about the Japanese internment camps. I also remember stories from my Grandpa, about his service in the Navy during WWII.
Many of us grew up hearing similar stories from our parents and grandparents. The most recent story I can recall is from a book that I just finished reading last week. It was called Wild Swans, by Jung Chang. If ever you want to feel proud about living in a country where freedom is valued, give this book a read. It details the not so distant past of China’s communist history, by following the story of three women, a grandmother, her daughter, and her daughter, which is the author.
It follows them from the beginning of the communist regime to the death of Mao Zedong, the dictator who controlled so many lives over there. It’s a history that too many of us have never heard before, but that will make you eternally grateful for the great country we live in today.
So, for a good read, this is my book recommendation of the week.
Family get-togethers
Its hard to think about the fourth of July, and not think about family, at least, for me.
Whether it’s gathering in the canyons to enjoy a few hot-dogs or throwing a party at the clubhouse with burgers or steaks, spending time with family is one of the best ways I know, to celebrate our freedoms. After all, they are the beneficiaries of ours or our parents/grandparent’s sacrifices.
And what if you don’t have family near? Well, part of living in one of our senior communities, is that we can build friendships that are almost as endearing as family.
Fireworks
We can’t forget fireworks. Well, actually, I can forget about fireworks. I don’t know about you. Though I do have to admit, that when I was young, the blazing, screaming, razzle-dazzle of the things captured my attention and wallet like few other things could.
Now, unfortunately, I’m more miserly with my pocketbook, and don’t like to burn my hard-earned dollars on loud colorful fire. There are however plenty of neighbors who seem to have no problem dropping hundreds or even thousands of dollars on these light displays.
It never fails to surprise me how much money is spend by individuals on fireworks, but if I can push my aversion to spending money aside, it is inspiring to think of what the fireworks represent. They are a symbol of our pride in our freedom. For that, I can’t help but get choked up.
There are many great people who sacrificed so much more than a little money to give us the freedoms we enjoy today. Without their sacrifices, we would live in a very different world.
Happy Independence Day to you and yours. God bless America!