Today I wanted to share a treasured personal memory of my late parents with you… As you may know, I lost Mom unexpectedly this past October, and my Dad just 5 weeks later in November…

July 4th always reminds me of when my parents and I lived in Buffalo in the Riverside area (ages 5 – 10) before we moved to the ‘burbs.

We were so lucky! We lived right across from Riverside Park, where there were rides and the usual arcade food. My childhood friend Pam who lived across the street remembers it all too, I am sure.

We loved the rides, but it was the fireworks we all waited for. Me bundled in my PJs, Mom, Dad, and neighbors would sit on lawn chairs in the parking lot to our apartment complex, with a PURRfect view of the show. I used to say that the fireworks were for me, since July is my birth month.

My dad was an avid amateur photographer at the time, and he took wonderful photos of the fireworks, timing the camera to catch them at their peek. I wish I had some of those slides (yes he always took slides back then.)

I miss those days very much, and I am reliving them today in my mind with happy tears.

Happy July 4th to my parents in heaven, and also to all of you…

And watch out for your pets during the BOOMs. They don’t appreciate the fireworks like we do.