Red, White and Blue

Fireworks, sparklers, barbecue, campfires, friends and family are all of the essentials to hold a Harrison, MI 4th of July. All growing up it was not a question where we would spend this Holiday, it was always at the Lake.

The town center held fireworks so the whole up-north crew would load up their cars and SUV's with blankets, chairs and coolers and we would gather at our corner spot to have the perfect view. I can still hear Dad's dramatic ooooohhhh's and ahhhhhh's as the fireworks came down.

Like I mentioned before, with moving around a bit getting up-north hasn't been the easiest task so the last 4th of July spent up there was close to 5 or more years ago. Gosh I regret that. I had friends meet me up there the last time (Melissa, Nick and Ali) and we all went on Pontoon rides around the lake, some of us even jumped in for a swim as Dad anchored the boat. I remember goofing around the kitchen with Mom as she would do her bunny dance, a classic that only my Mother could do. Dad was always working around the yard or handling the Grill. The house was overflowing with Snacks and we all had somewhere to sleep whether it was on an air mattress, a couch or in one of the bedrooms. I think that's my favorite place about a lake house, there's nothing formal about it and no matter where you sleep, you find yourself incredibly comfortable because of the fresh air. The stars at night are out of this world and there is no smog to cover them. Just clear skies.

What makes me most sad about heading up north with Ted, Ted's Family, Matt and Aydan (Chris has to work) is the fact that my parents would have been SO excited. Mom and Dad LOVED guests. They would never turn anyone away. The more the merrier was their motto. Even Aunt Kim is coming up again and we'll all gather at the house with Grandpa and others for a BBQ. They just loved it and not having them there to share in these fun moments don't seem as special. Another factor is Aydan....he misses Gamma and Papa so much and I think he has this slight glimpse of hope that they are going to be up-north when we get there. (he made a comment to Christina) He is going to be so disappointed when he walks through those doors. But we sure will talk about them.

I still have to pinch myself and say, yes Melissa- they really are gone. I asked Ted on the way home from dinner tonight, "do you believe that they are actually gone?" "no" he replied. I don't think many of us can believe they are gone.

Happy 4th of July Mom and Dad on your absolute favorite Holiday to spend up at the Lake.

I can't believe you won't be there, but please be there in spirit.

Love you always,
Melissa