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Monday, July 4, 2011

Memories

Happy 4th of July!
My cousins and I were very close growing up. Some of my favorite memories were the backyard cookouts at Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Ray’s on the 4th of July. These family reunions were quite memorable. All the aunts brought favorite covered dishes and baked goods that over the years became signature.  These gatherings started early in the morning and ended late in the evening, winding up with lots of singing.

Not long after the party started, Uncle Ray entertained us by setting snake sizzlers on fire. It was something to see and we’d all gather around as these sparklers uncoiled into ashes.  There seemed to be an endless supply of delicious food, both inside and out. I can still see Aunt Charlotte carrying huge platters of burgers and bacon-wrapped wieners to be grilled and no party was complete without her strawberry pies and legendary lady lock cookies.

The grand finale was the fireworks.  As soon as it got dark, the cousins raced to claim a seat on one of the steps in the sloping driveway, orange or cherry pop in hand.

Sadly, over the years, as many of the aunts and uncles passed away and cousins grew up and went separate ways, these family reunions became distant memories. But every 4th of July, I  remember the backyard patio parties at Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Ray’s with a smile. Thanks for the memories.

Have a favorite 4th of July memory to share? I’d love to hear it.

14 comments:

Sharon Donovan said...

Happy 4th! Oliver has the grill ready and the bar open. Come on in and share your memories with us.

Hywela Lyn said...

Happy 4th July Sharon, sweet friend (and Oliver of course.)

We don't celebrate the 4th July here in the UK, but we have our fireworks and bonfires on 5th November to celebrate the defeat of the 'Gunpowder Plot.'

I hope you have a lovely day and treasure those wonderful memories.

Sharon Donovan said...

Thanks Lyn, sweet friend. The defeat of the gunpowder plot sounds quite interesting. I hope you'll blog about it on 5 November. Aren't memories great

Debra St. John said...

We always host for the Fourth, and over the years we've gone from small parties to huge gatherings and now we're down to what I would call medium-sized. We'll have about 35 people in our backyard today.

Maybe we can borrow Oliver to help with the grilling?!

Happy and safe Fourth to you all!

P.L. Parker said...

We also had the family reunions on 4th of July in Tauphus Park in Idaho Falls. There were kid races and games and the rides. The food was wonderful and everyone had a great time.
Today, we are having a simple backyard cookout with as many of the boys as will be there.

Sharon Donovan said...

Hi Debra, Happy 4th to you. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with lots of memories. And I do so hope your guests will bring some covered dishes. Otherwise, Oliver said he'll be right over. You know how he loves rescuing a damsel in distress. Wink

Sharon Donovan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sharon Donovan said...

Hi Patsy, sounds like you have some fun memories to look back on. Yesterday's traditions are tomorrow's future after all. Happy 4th

Caroline Clemmons said...

Sharon, you brought back membories, not for the 4th of July, but I remember the family reunions where we cousings ran in and out of the house and around the yard if we were at a home, or around the park. Often, our reunions were combined families and too large for anyone's home. We gathered at McKenzie State Park in Lubbock TX and saw people we hadn't seen since the last reunion. For some of them, once a year was enough for me. Two or three always teased me for being tall, as if I could do anything about it. There was an amusement park the kids could visit in the afternoon. I see groups as we pass Forest Park in Fort Worth, so I know some families still have that type reunion, but ours no loger does. As you said, everyone has scattered or passed away.

Sharon Donovan said...

Sweet Caroline. LOL I had the opposite problem as my height never passed the five foot marker. As I recall, as family blossomed and grew, we eventually branched out to picnic reunions at North Park in suburban Pennsylvania where we fished and paddle boated on the lake before feasting on family signature dishes. Happy 4th to you and yours.

Cara Marsi said...

Sharon, I love your 4th of July memories. I can't think of any specific July 4th memories. Labor Day became special to me when my son was born Labor Day weekend. For the first 13 years of his life, we held a big BD party/cookout for him. He's 30 now, and no more parties, but I miss those family get togethers.

Sharon Donovan said...

Cara, those are fabulous memories, and oh how befitting that your son was born on Labor Day, hope the labor wasn't too bad.

susan said...

Enjoyed hearing your memories and the cook outs are such a great time. We still try and do one every year on the 4th but it does seem to fade a bit for us too. We no longer have family reunion as the older folks are gone and the younger ones DO NOT HAVE TIME. Sad to think that one day a year no one can take time to meet and get together..we always took the time back in the "olden years". It was like a sin if you missed a reunion..know what I mean. ha Have a great day and keep the memories going. susan Leech

Sharon Donovan said...

How true Susan. Back in the good old days, no one would dream of missing a family reunion. Today's generation doesn't seem to crave the togetherness once shared at family reunions. Sadly, there are cousins I've never met. How lovely to go back in time and have all that have passed come together once more. I guess that reunion will take place in heaven.