I'm proud to be an American

Ok, so every blogger in the US probably used that title today, but it fits. I LOVE the 4th of July. I always have except that one year I had the freak accident and a firecracker went off in my ear. LONG Story.

When I was a kid, most of the time we would spend 4th of July at my Grandparents house in Sioux Falls, SD. I loved my grandparents. My grandfather was every bit the Sioux Indian. He was dark and handsome. I remember him being so tall. But he was a gentle giant in my eyes and he loved me to pieces. He had the nose and the forehead and when he grew older he had this salt and pepper hair that made him look so distinguished. My mom would tell me stories about him from when she was a child, and I swear she described a different man. To this day, even if my version is tainted through the eyes of a child, I like my version better. My grandmother was spunky to the day she died at 91 years old. She would say "Tammy, don't let them pressure you into getting married. You have all kinds of time for that." I miss her. She hasn't been gone as long as my granddad who died while I was in college. Grandma only died a few years ago. I was the last one that got to take her out to eat. I know that sounds silly. I woke up one Friday morning and I was just pressed, it was just so heavy on me to go see her. I took a half day that Friday and I drove the six hours to go see her. I was last one to take her out to a restaurant to eat. She went down hill after that weekend and she was gone six months later. I didn't see her again after that weekend. As selfish as this sounds, I wanted to remember her the way I knew her.

The other great thing about spending 4th of July in Sioux Falls was spending it with my cousins. I loved seeing my cousins. I only usually got to see them once a year and I cherished every moment. From pillow fights in grandma's basement to fireworks at Aunt Linda's house, to talking about life (the grand lives we had back then) while waiting for Clark to hide.

I have very fond memories of the 4th's from my childhood. As we grew, we stopped going that week every year. I wish we hadn't stopped that tradition.

Today was a good 4th of July. The fireworks by the UniDome were very good this year and spending it with friends was good. I needed the time away from the books and the to do list. If only there were a few more hours in each day.

Tonight, I thought a lot about Rob and the sacrifices he has made for his country. He spent his 4th in Egypt. At least I think that is where he is still at. Rob, if you are still reading this...Thank you for all you are doing and everything you have put on hold so that those of us here can enjoy our 4th without threat or fear of losing what has made this country so great.