As the July Fourth weekend approaches, I cannot help but begin to feel the excitement of what’s to come. This is the holiday that can bring a family together that has been separated by arguments, distance, or being overworked.

My family has the basic issue of forgetting to make time for each other, whether it’s due to being a workaholic or just being heavily involved in daily activities.  Over time, some members have moved out of state while others have started new business ventures that take even more time away from the family.  However, come holidays such as the Fourth of July, members of the family show up in full force to enjoy the festivities together.

Maybe it’s the magic of the fireworks that binds this family together for a weekend.  As we stare in awe at the brilliance of these man-made sky-high delights, any parental disapproval, sibling rivalry, or work stress fades away.  It’s a time where we lose ourselves and yet regain our true selves in the nostalgic camaraderie that comes with the holiday. 

We become one family unit again and reminisce on the old days when we were young with dreams for our futures.  Together, we remember the time when Dad came home with boxes of fireworks that led to a historic neighborhood Fourth of July display that led helicopters to our home.  We think about the times when mere sparklers entertained us as we watch the kids around us playing with them and secretly want to hold a sparkler of our own. 

This Fourth of July I will spend with my wonderfully loud family and it’s exactly where I want to be.  One day, we will add children of our own to the mix, giving us a good reason to buy that bunch of sparklers again.