4th of july

is a heartbreaker.
and maybe a time to make changes.
Today a friend of mine had a little breakdown that sent her to the hospital, another friend got broken up with via text message and I tried to make new memories of the 4th as I sat watching the amazing display of color and light with beloved friends.
I don't need to go over all of the reasons I don't like this holiday, but trust me I have plenty.
This year, this morning actually, I made the choice to have fun.
Having fun is sometimes a choice you make. Not having fun is sometimes a choice too.
My teenager definitely made a choice to not have fun, and sure enough she succeeded.
I chose to have fun, to find a little magic and beauty in a traditional Americana adventure. I succeeded as well.
The thing is I don't like fireworks, picnics, hanging out at the park with other random portlanders, loud noises, random fire bits shooting about. Not much to like about the whole experience and then put it all together and it's a disaster of epic proportions.
Somehow, I had a good time. The food was great, that helps, but the food has always been great and I haven't always had fun. Our friends are sweet, kind and generous.
Maybe next year we'll have a buffy fest as requested by my teenager, that sounds fun to me, but for today, this year, I had a pretty good 4th.
xoxo