Happy Belated 4th of July! Growing up 4th of July always meant spending the day swimming at my uncles house, surrounded by cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends. As night fell we all gathered in the court to light a ton of fireworks, it was always so much fun. Of course these are the types of experiences I want for my kids however as our families grew, people moved away and priorities changed. There really doesn't seem to be "that" experience for my kids anymore. We really haven't been able to fall into one tradition or another as every year something different happens.



For the past 4 years, we've walked in the Danville 4th of July parade with the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area. It really is a lot of fun gathering with our Ds community and walking with all of our kids sharing our pride and joy for our son Gabriel. My boys are always so excited to participate, carrying signs that read "Celebrate our Differences", " We're more alike than Different", or "Future Noble Laureate" I think that's what that one says. It never fails, every year as we're walking along or riding (I rode in the float this year with Gabes and Mari) that I get overwhelmed with emotion as people cheer, clap and wave at us. I wonder what's going on in their heads as they see us parading down the middle of the street holding our heads high, smiling and waving at them along with our amazing children? Do some think, why are they so happy with their kids? I'm glad it's them and not me? I wouldn't be able to do that? I'll never know what people are really thinking but when I see the joy in people's faces and hear their clap and cheers, it makes me cry every time.



And so my 4th of July begins as it has for the past 4 years that we've participated in the parade. I'm an emotional mess on the inside because heaven forbid anybody see that on the outside. The other thing that gets me every time at the parade is watching the local chapter of the Blue Star Moms walk by holding pictures of their sons or daughters who are serving in Iraq/Afghanistan. Every year, I look at these mother's holding pictures of their boys/girls and I can only imagine how they get through their days and nights without worrying to death. Being the mom of boys it makes me appreciate their sacrifice so very much, because one day it could be me walking with that group. With tears streaming down my face, I clap for them and on the inside I pray for them.



The City of San Ramon puts on a fireworks show every year, thankfully the city is still able to afford the show as so many city's have had to let it go because of lack of funds. When we moved here 6 years ago we were told that all people from our neighborhood walk to the kids elementary school to watch the fireworks instead of dealing with the crowds at Central Park. We've had different groups of friends and family join us since we've been here. Last year, we tried going to our cousins house to light our own fireworks and while that was fun, Steve and I missed watching the fireworks with our neighbors. For the first time in 6 years, it was just the 6 of us for dinner. The kids thought it was weird and even worse when we were packing up the wagons with blankets, chairs, wine and snacks just for us. So off we set to our school field to gather with the locals to watch the show. We got to the field to find our neighbors and friends so the boys were happy. Then my sister and her boyfriend showed up so all was right with the world. As I sat in the chair with my glass of wine surrounded by my kids, hubby, sister and friends watching the sky light up again I became overwhelmed with emotion. It's so surreal to me that this is my life. That I live in this community where it's safe to walk out and watch fireworks and that people join together with their family and friends to celebrate our great country. I'm so grateful to be born in this country, at this time, to be raised in the family I was raised in and now to have the family that I have. Like clockwork, for the third time that day the tears start flowing yet again.