Every year on July 4th, Americans celebrate Independence Day. It’s a national holiday, a time for picnics, parades, barbecues and fireworks. And we love to watch fireworks. It’s a tradition that started when we were young and now passes on to our kids. But I’d like to think I’ve perfected the fireworks-watching experience since I’ve learned a thing or two in the many decades I’ve been watching them. First, we always arrive early – super early – to get the best spots. Then we come prepared. We pack a picnic dinner, bring some games, maybe grab a few friends and make it an experience.
Our 4th of July tradition hasn’t changed much through the years. We even make the same dinner: fried chicken tenders and potato salad. Dessert and additional sides vary depending on my mood but the chicken and potato salad remain constant. I’m not sure how it became a part of the tradition, other than my daughter willed it into being. Fried chicken and potato salad is one of her favorite meals. I tried breaking the tradition a couple of times. One year I made sandwiches and another year I made Gyros but it wasn’t the same. So now it’s back to fried chicken tenders and potato salad. And since I rarely fry chicken anymore it’s become extra special.
But it isn’t just the food we enjoy, it’s great to spend an evening unplugged.
Caleb’s concept of time
My son, Caleb is particularly fond of the 4th of July. Although we don’t tell him it’s the 4th until we’re about to leave the house. It’s an unspoken rule that we don’t share plans with Caleb in advance. Naturally, if he suspects or asks, we’ll tell him. Otherwise, we don’t let him know until the day of, especially when it’s something he enjoys. It’s for everyone’s benefit…and sanity.
Last year I goofed and Caleb learned about the 4th of July plans on the 3rd. This meant every five seconds – not exaggerating here – he was telling me he ‘can’t wait to see the fireworks!” Then he’d run into his room and get ready to go, which meant putting his shoes on.
I had to explain that fireworks were the NEXT day, and he needed to take his shoes off and put them back in the closet because we weren’t going anywhere TODAY. It looked like he understood but after he showered, that thought must have gone down the drain with the bath water because he put his shoes back on!
Once again we had to go through the whole talk about fireworks being tomorrow. The rest of the day followed a similar pattern. Caleb shares his excitement about seeing the fireworks, then goes into his room to put his shoes on, only to remove them again and put them back in the closet. We kept repeating this scene like we were rehearsing a play. However, sometimes I got lucky and stopped him BEFORE he put his shoes on.
This is why we never tell Caleb about plans until absolutely necessary, he has no concept of time.
The day of
Naturally, July 4th is painstakingly slow in coming but when it finally arrives, guess who’s the first one up? That’s right, Caleb! He’s dressed with his shoes on, ready to see the fireworks. Now I have to explain to him it wasn’t TIME. Another concept above his head. This meant the whole time we were home, Caleb kept reminding us how he couldn’t wait to see the fireworks. Just in case we had forgotten from all the times he’s told us before.
Then the whole time we were at the venue he kept repeating how he couldn’t wait to see the fireworks. Heaven forbid if anyone came remotely close to him, he would tell them he couldn’t wait to see the fireworks. He was a match igniting excitement in everyone. People who couldn’t care less about fireworks were suddenly excited to see them.
It’s time!
Caleb’s excitement accelerated as it got darker, he is now evangelistic about sharing his desire to see the fireworks. Meanwhile, we are all tired. It’s hard to deal with all that energy without feeling zapped. He’s been telling us how he ‘can’t wait to see the fireworks’ for close to 48 hours now. At this point, we are all ready for the show to start.
Finally, it’s time. The crowd gets quiet and the moment Caleb has been waiting for is about to begin. Eyes glued to the horizon, a smile plastered on his face, he’s become quiet. No more ‘can’t wait to see the fireworks’. Occasionally he’ll glance at me reminding me telepathically that fireworks are coming.
As the first firework illuminates the dark sky in a burst of bright brilliant color and a cacophony of noise, Caleb makes guttural sounds of his own. Practically leaping out of his chair and tripping over himself, he tells me he wants to go home.
What we’ve learned
We’ve discovered Caleb’s love of fireworks is relegated to images on the TV, home videos and his mind. In real life, he’s terrified of them. They’re unpredictable, loud and bright. Yet every year he’s excited about seeing the fireworks. And every year after the first firework, he will tell us he wants to go home. That’s Caleb and it’s one of his many endearing Calebisms. It’s just as much a part of our 4th of July tradition as fried chicken tenders and potato salad.
