July 4th Sparklers

My first memory of the Fourth of July, AKA Independence Day, is one of the sparklers with my family in the backyard of the house we were living in at the time in San Jose, California. It was the mid-1960s when I was about 8 years old.

My little brother and I were handed a silver metal stick. We were told to hold very still while they were lit with matches. Of course, I was more than cautious, standing at arm’s length, holding the sparkler as far away from my body as possible. My mother went first, and to our delight, the sparks flew from the metal wand onto the grass and into the air. We were not allowed to play with matches and here we were about to actually hold sparkling fire in our hand. I was both excited and scared!

It was a warm summer night in San Jose that year; we were decked out in red, white, and blue shorts, tops, and, if I recall, sandals. Perhaps we attended an event elsewhere that day and were finishing our celebration just the four of us in our private backyard. I stood over the grass as my sparkler was lit, nearly dropping it from the excitement. Stand still I did as I was told, and I was amazed at the sparks flying from the wand in my hand into the breeze and would burn out quickly when they landed on the patio or grass.

Suddenly, the sparks flew as my brother’s sparkler swung through the air, landing on the ground, but not before it left sparks and embers on my mother’s legs. In the excitement, he may have released the sparkler as it was lit or just tossed it into the air to see what would happen. As I looked down I saw that my legs too had spots that had been hit by the sparks. At the time the initial sting was not that bad, as we were focused on the spectacular display of light of the sparklers. But no doubt we continued with our celebration, as I do recall a few more sparks landing on my legs and the top of my feet.

While the memory of this July 4th was literally branded into my memory and onto my skin, I learned a valuable lesson about the potential dangers of anything that one can add flame to. My legs have a few spots that remain and show up during the summer months after a few days in the sun. They remind me of a warm summer evening with my family, laughing, marveling, and learning about the dangers of fireworks.

To this day, I do not enjoy the fireworks lit up in the street and will stand at a very safe distance. But I do enjoy and marvel at the events where bursts of fire, color and unique shapes fill the skies. This 4th of July I won’t be handling any sparklers, but I have plenty of glow bracelets to share with others on this spectacular night. They can be tossed into the air or land on bare skin without leaving a mark.

For 34 years, Ken and I shared the 4th of July with each other and/or family and friends. During the events through the years, we would often find ourselves singing the national anthem, followed by praying, thanking God for our country, each other, family, and independence. This year will be my 4th without Ken on the 4th of July. Once again I will marvel at the lights in the sky and thank God for my life, liberty, independence and provision in all things.

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What is your earliest or special memory of the 4th of July?
How will you celebrate the 4th of July this year?

Please comment or email your thoughts and/or prayer requests my way.

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I am reminded that while I enjoy freedom in the United States of America my ultimate freedom is in Christ Jesus.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

I hope and pray you will enjoy a safe and memorable July 4th celebration this year.

Pati