Happy 4th of July! - 2009

On this quiet 4th of July - - Ralph and I look back on so many that we have spent together -- that weren't "quiet" ! 55 years ago - and for many years after -- we walked our 4 offspring down to the corner of Shepard Ave in Kenmore, N.Y. to view the annual parade - - ! Then back to Grandma Judge and Aunt Babe's family -- for yummy picnic fare! Fireworks at Sheridan park!
Then came the years of "camping" with our family and usually with several other families. Campfires! S'mores! Corn on the cob!
Then our 4 grew up -- and began having families of their own -- and our move to Arizona brought a pool into the equation - where for years, ours was the only pool - - so not only on the fourth of July -- but often every Sunday - it was a pool party - - with hamburgers, hotdogs, etc. -
And then - for 8 summers -- we experienced our Cottage on Round Lake in Ontario, Canada!
Where the 4th was celebrated with our friend Sharon and her family - the John Jacksons and often Jill and her family . Fireworks off the dock and into the lake! yummy food! lotsa laughs!

Times change and we change with them, as the saying goes. As families "expand" with grandchildren and obligations of their own --
2008 found us at our latest small "abode" - - in Show Low. A Park model cabin - just big enuf' for two.
Our son Eddy came up with his dtr.(our Granddaugher) Missy --and his granddaugher Sophia, and Eddy stayed with us. And we had visits from Connie and Dan - - And Vanessa - Eddy's granddaughter (our great grand) - and her mommy, Amanda! A busy weekend! And fun! They all went to fireworks - - we watched them on TV ! :)
Now it's 2009 - - our son Eddy has left our world -- and we miss him - and we're thankful for the memories -- .
Today on this fourth - We had KFC with side dishes (Pot luck) by all of us in our little RV community - in the clubhouse.
There were decorations of red, white and blue -- - - and an hour or so of "socializing" with our neighbors - -
yes - "Things change, and we change with them " --
We've adapted --and are grateful for each other. 57 (almost) years "together" - -and I love this man more than ever! (if "more" was ever possible)

There will be fireworks tonight in town -- but - -we'll watch them on TV, thank you! :)
And! We are content -- (and thankful) - after years of busyness and yet quite happy for this time of "not so busy" - and rather "quiet" - -