All About the 4th of July

The 4th of July is always a day, I like to head on into this capital town here in north Florida to enjoy the festivities, which is rather large and mostly free. Well that is, all but the food. I could sit at home and barbecue and shoot off some fireworks, but it just isn't as magical as getting out of the house and watching the day unfold in its own unique way.

Why not just sit at home with family and friends and load up on hotdogs and drink a lot of beer, whats wrong with that you say. Well I have to say, while those are noble pursuits, there is something that unfolds on a long, hot and humid day, like the 4th of Julys that we have down here in the sultry south. There almost seems to be a stillness the moment you wake up on this day. Maybe that is why I have an adoration for this day, it seems almost like it is suspended in time. The weather and long day makes it linger and you tend to slow down and enjoy the small things.

After a short drive into town we arrive just outside the large park, and decide to walk from there. We park outside the grounds for different reasons, and like to enjoy the hike into the park. The promenade to where the festivities begin is a good walk, but the rolling hills, large oak trees and winding pathways, gives you a fresh view of the world besides getting a little exercise. The return trip back to our car after the fireworks will be crowded with both walkers and unruly drivers honking horns, yelling, etc.. This is a college town so there are always lots of young kids that show up at dark just to see the fireworks. It is always interesting to hear people talking after the big fireworks show. People are always friendly and more chatty after the fireworks.

We arrive at the large area near the stage where the entertainment will be playing, a great and well known blues musician begins playing not to long after our arrival. People are beginning to pour into the entertainment area now and we decide to stroll around to find a shady spot to sit, it is a warm sunny day lacking the extreme humidity that is usually present this time of year. I find a nice shady hillside to sit and enjoy the music and look around to enjoy all the diverse people that are now in the park.

I am enjoying the free music still lying on the hillside, when I notice a pack of little girls maybe six or seven years of age. Most of them are riding a skateboard down this small but steep hill, each one coaching the other one on how to ride. All of a sudden I notice this one little girl standing behind me. I turn to see what in the world she is doing and discover that the little girl is very engaging , has red hair and her face is painted. She is very friendly and immediately tells me she is a dragon. She is very confident that she is really a dragon and even has the imagination to ask me if I wanted to become a dragon. I replied, How do you become a dragon. She quickly replied , You eat hot foods, now she had me almost believing her. I thought what a clever and creative little girl. She even went on to say, she would go get me some imaginary hot food. Her facial expressions of a dragon were so entertaining and I really enjoyed playing along with her. The funny thing is how friendly and imaginative she was to a complete stranger. I have to say kids like that are magical and they take you back to a simple and fun time making the world seem brighter. See I told you something magical can happen on this day and its not just the fireworks.

Learn more about this author, Michael Nicks.
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