Independence Day

The reason for the Fourth of July couldn't have been any clearer for my family on Saturday when we traveled to a friend's house to celebrate Independence Day with her family -- her family, except one. Maria's husband, Q is in Iraq, serving with the National Guard.

In a way, it felt a little weird because Hubby, Jonathan and I were the only people there who weren't family in some way. But then Maria's sisters said: "You've been around forever. You're like family to us," and I was reminded that family isn't only about blood relations.

There were eight kids running around the property, one of them mine, the other Maria's. There were three two year olds, a three year old, a four year old, an 11 year old and all ages in between. And amazingly there were no major breakdowns or any major crisis (at least while I was there). Not even with Maria's son, Zaiah, who I was sure would flip out at some point because he didn't have a nap all day. But he didn't. He was feeling good enough even to give my son a quick hug as the two played together under the picnic table.

Jonathan had fun pushing his friend in the toy car. Daddy found time to read a book. I enjoyed taking photographs and catching up a little bit with some of Maria's family, while her brother and nephew played horseshoes. It was a real American Fourth of July -- a cookout, good company, water mellon, children laughing, and throughout the day a constant reminder in the backs of our minds of why we have the rights and freedoms we do. We miss you, Q and can't wait until you come home!