by Debbie Robus

Created on: May 20, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

The most "memorable" Fourth of July for me would have to be 1957 - the year I was born. Countless relatives have told me about it, so while I certainly do not "remember" the day, it is vivid in my mind some 51 years later.

My parents married in August 1956, and by October, Mother was pregnant. She and Daddy lived in their hometown, then a sleepy little rural Arkansas community of probably one thousand people or fewer, bordered by a river known as the "Little Red." Picnics, swims, and fishing were favorite past-times, and July 4th was no different.

Already some two weeks overdue to deliver, my mother nonetheless made the trek to a spot on the river known as Devil's Fork, about twenty miles of mostly dirt road from town. A picnic lunch was prepared, and my parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles set out for a day of celebrating. I am not sure whether fireworks were included... at least of the kind typically expected on July 4th.

But fireworks did ensue, as sometime in the afternoon, my mother went into labor. The outing was quickly ended, as my grandparents loaded Mother into their car and headed for town. News traveled fast through our little community that the baby was on its way, and a crowd gathered at the local hospital. Efforts to find my mother's doctor were fruitless. It was, after all, a national holiday! In the end, another local physician would do the honors, and I arrived at approximately 8:00 p.m. My mom and dad were there, along with my maternal grandparents, my paternal grandmother, and extended family and friends.

Throughout my childhood, my parties always included red, white, and blue - bunting, flags, even cakes in the shape of flags or patriotic in their color scheme. For many years, I assumed that EVERYONE celebrated their birthday with as much fanfare as was afforded mine! There were others in our town who shared my birth-date, and one lady in particular exchanged birthday cake with me every year when I was young. Her cake always contained a button and a dime, and the story was that whoever found the button would be an old maid, but whoever found the dime would marry a rich man. I found both!

I know the Fourth of July was not invented for ME, and I know there are others who probably celebrate in far more spectacular ways. But because my birthday falls on this holiday, the festivities and celebration often last several days in and around July 4th. And no matter how old I get, I am guaranteed that my birthday will be celebrated by thousands. What could be more fun than that?!

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