***Long post alert! This is instead of writing in my journal!***
Happy Independence Day! We started the day with the ward pancake breakfast. It sprinkled on us a little bit, but it was a nice temperature and the boys had fun playing on the slides. Our neighbors Jeff and Melanie came and met a lot of people. They seemed to have a good time.
At home we had hot dogs and cantaloupe for lunch, followed by naps for everyone. What a treat for me and Josh! Michael woke up first so Josh took him outside for a walk while I stayed home and waited for Sam to wake up. When Sam woke up I took him outside for a walk too. It is so nice to have some one on one time once in a while. We walked over to the gas station by us that is waiting to be torn down. It's fenced off and the pumps are boarded up. There is an enormous back-hoe tractor parked there and Sam walked me in that direction and kept pointing to it and saying "Wow!" We followed a yellow butterfly for a while and then ran into Josh and Michael and walked home together.
It was starting to rain and the real dilemma began. Josh had an invitation to watch the National Mall fireworks on the White House lawn but the weather forecast said the entire area would be covered with thunderstorms on and off all evening. We didn't want to miss this opportunity (no chance of being invited again next year with the change in presidency) but we were nervous about taking the boys out in what could be terrible thunderstorms! Our friends Jeff and Melanie came to the rescue and babysat for us so we could leave the boys at home, snug and dry in their beds, and brave the elements alone.
We were so glad we went! It would have been impossible with the double stroller and two toddlers who hate sitting down for too long and tend to run away at warp speed when they're in a crowd. Without them, though, it was fantastic!
The highlight was the unexpected presence of President and Laura Bush! I had run down to get our little cups of vanilla Blue Bell ice cream when I heard cheers and applause erupt from the nearby crowd. When I got back to our blanket, Josh said, "Turn around." President and Laura Bush were standing on the balcony of the White House. I could hardly see him without my glasses on, but I could tell it was him. I've never seen a US President in person before and it was so amazing! The crowd sang him "Happy Birthday" - his birthday is July 6th - and then we all turned around and watched the fireworks on his front lawn!
I felt like crying as the fireworks went off and the music played over the speakers. "Stars and Stripes Forever," the 1812 Overture, all of the military themes. I felt like our Nation still has strength and moral character, deep down, even if it's covered up with materialism and selfishness. I felt a loyalty to the country and imagined the Bush family taking in this last July 4th celebration in the White House. What memories they will have.
When it was over and we were walking back to the Metro we saw a bus from Walter Reed Military Hospital drive by. It was full of recovering soldiers. We were solemnly reminded of the price that has been paid for the freedoms we enjoy and were so thankful for the sacrifice of those men and their families. They have acted on the same feelings of duty and patriotism I had and what do they get for it? I wanted to tell them all I appreciate what they've decided to do with their lives and help that positive message overpower the ridicule they so often face.
While we were still walking to the Metro a family walked up behind us. They were on vacation and all wore trash bags over their clothes to try and keep dry. Their heads were wet and the dad asked the mom if she was doing alright. She said, "I am walking in the rain, on the 4th of July, with my family, in the Nation's Capitol. It doesn't get any better than this." As if that wasn't enough, her little boy then added, "Patriotism swells in the heart of the American Bear." I think he means a Bear rank in the Boy Scouts. There was almost a moment of silence as we were all touched by this innocent little comment. It was so sweet.
When we got home we turned on PBS and watched the fireworks all over again! We said, "Oh, remember that one? That one was great." I felt a little bit crazy doing that, but it was fun. Then Charlie Rose came on interviewing David McCullough. He was so interesting to listen to. I found it so refreshing to listen to a wholesome, intelligent, interesting man on my TV for a change. Josh and I both got the learning bug and pulled out some history books to answer questions the interview brought up. I'm heading to the library this week to get McCullough's book on John and Abigail Adams' letters. Evidentially Tom Hanks is involved in making it into a movie. Then we got online to find out why they always play the 1812 Overture on July 4th. It turns out it has nothing to do with the War of 1812, but it was very interesting to learn that Tchaikovsky wrote it to signify the Russian army's defeat of Napoleon's invasion. It starts out with themes from the French national anthem and finishes off with the old Russian national anthem - the Russian melody takes over the French melody and pushes it out, just like the army had done.
Well, since our camera is broken there are no pictures. But, the people we watched the fireworks with said they'd send us some, so if they do I'll post them later.
It was such an uplifting weekend. Saturday and Sunday were fun as well with a family jog along the C&O Canal by the Potomac, a visit from Cuz Emily and the Scharman gang, a bbq with the Lowe's, and friends over for dessert last night. We continued the "learning bug" by reading some poetry and the Declaration of Independence last night before we went to bed. I don't think we've ever done that before.
I think it's fun that my dad came out as my "twin soul." I sure do love him. I think his personality is cute, and noble, and creative, and he is generosity itself.
