Happy Fourth of July!

Last night, my town had its annual July 3 fireworks display. We always have our fireworks some time between July 1 and July 4--it's a nice compromise with the few Canadians in our town.

The fireworks were pretty good. There were a couple years when I was absolutely terrified by fireworks, then some years when I loved them, and now, when they're fun to watch, but not that great. Every year, July 3 (or 1, 2, 5...) is so great not because of the fireworks, but because of how some loud, bright lights in the sky can bring a community together.

When the fireworks were going off up in the perfectly clear sky, some specators remarked that Ben Franklin and the rest of the 1776ers certainly did not imagine that such a display would take place to mark their achievment. Yet, it's not the fireworks that define the celebration, it's the comradery.

There was not a plot of sand to spare at the beach where my fireworks went off. Chairs, towels, sand castles, grills, ilegal fireworks all covered the coast. It was beautiful.

As the fireworks went off, there were hushed whispers among all the onlookers. There was a beautiful calm over the beach, that was previously in a raucous mood. All the separate parties joined in on one large celebration of our indepedence.

So if you're planning to see fireworks tonight, and the rain/clouds prevents you from seeing much at all, at least celebrate the comradery that this holiday always brings out.

And of course, make sure to turn on the tube at 12:30 to watch Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, since that's clearly the celebration Franklin and Co. imagined when signing the Declaration.

(Photo from WestportNow.Com)