Fourth of July

I’ve reminisced here – about my youth spent on South Padre Island for many years now. Those days, at first so innocent, and as I grew into adolescence progressively wilder and freer, all evolved around a Fourth of July epicenter and 3401 Gulf Boulevard on the undiscovered Island.

Time makes everything a little more romantic though, doesn’t it? The sand could be so hot as we crossed Gulf to the dunes, and made that walk to the beach … we had to run to keep from scalding our soles on the sand.

Sunburns so bad some of us had to lay prone with some home remedy slathered on us … for a day or two, and then it was back at it full force. The damage we did was in trade for the fun and memories we have.

It is fading now, some questions of my memory will never be answered – because of the departed. It’s a natural thing I guess.

But we, as a group, as an extended family NEVER forgot what July 4th. was all about, and I still cling to the original meaning to this day. Despite the tumult we find the USA in, the possibility of another civil war, I still remember where I came from, even if I don’t know where I will soon go.

Thank you to the active duty military, the Veterans and all the people in support of them and to their families for the sacrifices – past, present and future. It serves us all well today to remember though; who we pledge our allegiance to and what we swear to preserve, protect and defend – above any individual, above any party. I would never have imagined, last 4th. of July, that this July 4 would be so unsure.