Countrylifestyle Blog

Christmas in July

I spent my first fourth of July out of college in Indianapolis, Indiana.  I was working for National FFA at the time, and a friend treated me to the most amazing display of fireworks I’ve ever seen.  We watched as giant firework after firework was shot from a barge on a reservoir and we sipped fruity achoholic and soaked in the color and sounds.

It was incredibly depressing.

The fireworks were amazing.  Don’t get me wrong.  But it wasn’t Fourth of July, Cole family style.  There were no barbecues to attend, no Dad cussing at the traffic after the fireworks, no family and friends to share the day with.

Our Fourth of Julys now aren’t fancy.  We hit up the local fireworks show on the 3^rd, then light our own fireworks off the day of the 4^th.  We celebrate my mother-in-laws birthday with some kind of gluten free cake and cook hamburgers on the grill.  I don’t think I put any makeup on.  But darned if it isn’t still a picture perfect holiday.

Fourth of July is my Christmas in July.  It’s about taking a day to feel blessed to live in the country.  To focus on all the good it holds.  It’s about taking a few minutes out of a busy summer schedule to slow down and spend time with family.  It’s about seeing old friends at the fireworks, laughing with my daughter as she entertains her grandparents.

It’s the very best part of this country wrapped up in one beautiful red, white and blue moment.  Family.  Freedom.  Friendship.

That we get to light stuff on fire…well that’s just gravy.

Teresa