For the first time since I can remember it was hot. A scorching 4th, so hot and dry that there were fire warnings everywhere. To begin with this particular year there was a bit of nostalgia thinking about the 4th. For some reason this continuing heat wave, the dried brown grass, and the atmosphere have formed an ambiance. An ambiance that made me feel like this is what summer truly is, an ambiance that continually transported my mind back in time to my favorite, and most admired period in American history, the golden era of the late 60s- early 70s. A time of conflict with the revolution of the peace movement struggling against the backdrop of simpler times. Simpler times where holidays were celebrated to the fullest extent, now lace with emotions being pulled in so many directions. The 4th meant something different, during that era, were the draft was still in place. Families and friends never knew when their loved one would be next, and they cherished each moment. Times have changed, we have ignored the simple moments, we have made them too complicated. What I wanted for the holiday was a sense of simplicity, simple things to be enjoyed, time cherished not taken for granted.
The day started with a drive, windows down, sun roof open, the radio continuously scanned until those favorite classic rock songs were found. It felt like a real summer moment, the simplicity of music that has so much passion, bringing out an ambiance that perfectly harmonized with the atmosphere. A feeling that I yearned for, overwhelmed me with happiness, and adrenaline. I was thrilled and it was only the beginning of the day. My girlfriend, Eva, and I decided that somehow, someway we were going to have grilled hamburgers. So after mixing the meat with some onions and some spices, she fashioned a homemade grill. It was so simple, so innocent, as we grilled our burgers on the hot open flame, on the third floor cement patio of my apartment complex. The neighbors down below blasting Tupac, children fishing in the lake, people walking about the cement pathways. We sat outside eating the burgers, they were delicious, perhaps the best burger that I remember eating, even though I don’t really even like burgers. We truly enjoyed each other, eating what we had made together, enjoying the heat, quenching our thirst with ice cold beers.
Upon nightfall, after the continuing flow of beer, we stepped out front and witnessed 5 fire works shows. All shows were that of real people, setting off fireworks for the thrill and exciting entertainment for their families. We were able to see and witness the subtle innocence of something so simple, yet meaningful. The sky filled with smoke, ash, and bright colors, reflecting in the mellow waves of the lake.
It truly was the most perfect 4th of July I have experienced, it truly was a freeing and uplifting memory.
Edit
The day started with a drive, windows down, sun roof open, the radio continuously scanned until those favorite classic rock songs were found. It felt like a real summer moment, the simplicity of music that has so much passion, bringing out an ambiance that perfectly harmonized with the atmosphere. A feeling that I yearned for, overwhelmed me with happiness, and adrenaline. I was thrilled and it was only the beginning of the day. My girlfriend, Eva, and I decided that somehow, someway we were going to have grilled hamburgers. So after mixing the meat with some onions and some spices, she fashioned a homemade grill. It was so simple, so innocent, as we grilled our burgers on the hot open flame, on the third floor cement patio of my apartment complex. The neighbors down below blasting Tupac, children fishing in the lake, people walking about the cement pathways. We sat outside eating the burgers, they were delicious, perhaps the best burger that I remember eating, even though I don’t really even like burgers. We truly enjoyed each other, eating what we had made together, enjoying the heat, quenching our thirst with ice cold beers.
Upon nightfall, after the continuing flow of beer, we stepped out front and witnessed 5 fire works shows. All shows were that of real people, setting off fireworks for the thrill and exciting entertainment for their families. We were able to see and witness the subtle innocence of something so simple, yet meaningful. The sky filled with smoke, ash, and bright colors, reflecting in the mellow waves of the lake.
It truly was the most perfect 4th of July I have experienced, it truly was a freeing and uplifting memory.
Edit
