Wimsy

First, I am having my surgery tomorrow to remove my tumor. Hooray! I am a bit nervous, but it'll be good :)

Yesterday was the 4th of July. Normally, I think of doing some sort of tribute to my country. To be honest, I have been proud to be an American for most of my life. However, when I was 10 or so (and reading the American Girl books) I discovered the Trail of Tears. And for several years after that, I was ashamed. Then I discovered the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII and I was doubly ashamed. It took some time for me to remember all the great things that my country has done (with the bad) and to remember that just because some of the people in my country's past have done things that were awful that doesn't make it awful. Also, that doesn't mean that I have to be an awful person. I can be an American while not being a jerk. Phew. Moving on.

This post is about fireworks. I have always loved them and, after the BBQ and family hang out (yesterday we watched Captain America and Return of the King. The first is obvious, but the second ties in because it's about becoming free. Not that England was Mordor, but you get the idea) it's my favorite part of the 4th.

Parades are also cool.

When I was little, we would go to the city beach (in a nearby city/town) and watch the fireworks there. That was beautiful. They reflected over the water and for a small thing it was like seeing the fireworks TWICE. Oh yeah.

We also went to the slightly closer town for fireworks over the firegrounds. These days, those fireworks are a little better (and you don't get sand all over you), so we go there.

It's funny. I've had a lot on my mind this week. Surgery, student loans, surgery, grad school, surgery...you get the idea. I've been kind of stressed and not very whimsical. But then I saw the fireworks and I was transported back to my 5 year old self, watching with awe, wondering how they knew what colors they'd get and wishing that I could catch a firework piece and keep it all year.

I know that you can't actually touch fireworks (clue-FIRE) but I had to chuckle because I remember thinking that the rocks that came from fireworks must have been beautiful, because they're like brightly colored stars. And everyone knows that star rocks are beautiful (if movies confirm anything, Stardust valadates this theory. Even when Claire Danes' hair is just stardust, it's beautiful, sparkely dust. 5 year-old Bailey would approve).

I guess the point is that fireworks always leave me with a sense of wonder and whimsy. Despite the crazy week, it was nice to feel that way. I have no doubt that God helped me out; He knows how nervous I am :)

And today, since I am in a whimsy mood, I bought bubbles. In a dinosaur (triceratops) shaped container.

Ha.