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Andrea Eschen's avatar

I'm chagrined to admit that on July 4 I totally forgot it was the 4th of July. I was even with my siblings here in Madrid and none of us mentioned it despite the glorious July 4ths we had spent together at Clear Lake as children and teenagers.

Your wonderful post brought back so many memories of that wonderful holiday. We went to Clear Lake every 4th to our friends' home on the lake. Each year, the same families celebrated together following the same annual traditions. Red, white, and blue outfits; a parade across the expansive lawn to the flagpole from youngest to oldest member of the group; Uncle Jack dressed in a red and white striped blazer reading the Declaration of Independence; dinner with a red, white, and blue cake for dessert; and fireworks. Before the parade, the children had to put on for the adults while they gathered around in lawn chairs with their martinis a play related to Independence Day: Paul Revere's ride in which we hauled the donkey out of the pasture to act in the play (Paul never would have made it); the Boston Tea Party in which we jumped off the motor boat with Lipton tea bags; and Betsy Ross removing needles from a plastic sewing kit to sew the flag. Finally, when we were teenagers, we organized a mutiny and refused to do the play. Instead, my mother wrote it. She had us nearly wetting our pants with laughter it was so funny and clever.

I forgive myself for forgetting it was the 4th of July because if we aren't at Clear Lake, there is no 4th.

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Absolutely fascinating post, Sabrina - it's so lovely to get an insight into the 4th of July. 🇺🇸

And those lawnchair Dads - what an epic performance!

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