My parents were passionate about celebrating Independence Day.
Growing up with a father who was an immigrant and new citizen, every American holiday was a big deal, a chance to establish new, time-honored, family traditions.
Layer that with having a maternal grandfather who was an Air Force Korean War veteran, July 4th took on even more significance.
At first glance, it might seem remarkable that in the early 1960s in New Mexico, my Midwest raised grandparents would so unconditionally and warmly welcome a man from a foreign country who had asked for their daughter’s hand.
They had never met anyone from India before and knew nothing about Indian culture.
Believer in American dream
My grandfather was a true patriot and believer in the American dream, and his own
grandparents had immigrated from Ireland.
He valued faith, honesty and hard work, and he felt his duty to daughter and his nation would be to welcome my immigrant father into his family.”
-Amy Hall.
He valued faith, honesty and hard work, and he felt his duty to daughter and his nation would be to welcome my immigrant father into his family.
My favorite memories of celebrating July 4th were how my family, including my grandparents of blessed memory, would scale a ladder at sunset in the foothills of our Tucson home, the perfect vantage point to watch five or six different fireworks
shows to the south, southwest, and southeast of us, followed by slicing up cool
sweet watermelon.
Small and simple
It was small and simple.
We listened to patriotic music, and my grandfather would express his reverence for our nation.
I would fall asleep to my grandmother telling stories of family picnics, popcorn over a stove, and home baked pies at her childhood home, a farm in Kansas.
The way I celebrated as a child is much different than I have and do with my
family today.
Neighborhood barbecues and baseball games before fireworks were the standard.
Today, we split time between honoring our nation’s birthday in Coronado and in Phoenix at an Arizona Diamondbacks game.
This 4th, I’ll miss watching the parade on Orange Avenue, the plotting of where we will watch the Big Bay Boom even though we ultimately choose the balcony of our home every time.
July 4: Celebration of freedom
We are so blessed to live on an island that comes together in community to honor our
beloved country.
Fourth of July is a wonderful celebration of freedom.
It is befitting that Americans find so many ways to celebrate freedom and beautiful that we are all afforded to commemorate as we wish.
However you celebrate, I hope you find deep meaning and joy!
