Better Late Than Never

The Fourth of July! Exclamation Point! A holiday that in my book belongs in the top three of all annual celebrations. Parades, live music, barbecues-- fireworks for crying out loud! I'm not ashamed to admit that I, along with 85 percent of the population, dressed in red white and blue this year. I guess I'm one of those girls who stings together her most festive outfit by convincing herself that maroon is close enough to red, and blue underwear counts (or is that St. Patrick's Day?). Please know that the radio will play Katy Perry's Firework from 2009, and all the good channels on TV will loop Independence Day or Miracle. I'm not being cynical, I really do love the 4th. I have great childhood memories that include bouncy houses, picnics and water parks. But you know, the fourth of July is very different depending on where you spend it. Spending it in Henefer, Utah where my grandfather is mayor means a pancake breakfast for the entire town, riding floats and throwing out candy, and playing with sparklers in the back yard. In Laie, Hawaii it means eating lau lau on a blanket at the golf course in Turtle Bay and listening to the soothing sounds of the Ukulele while the kids hula. This year I spent the 4th in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Now, Fayetteville is far from extraordinary but I defy you to find someone who loves their country more than Fayette-villans. Those beer swilling loud mouthed rednecks want to prove how proud they are of America. At first I wanted to slap the ladies who drag their kids around on leashes, or the men who drip nacho cheese on their extra large, extra hairy bare chests. But I can't deny them a badge of patriotism. Roots are roots, and I come from the south. I may try to forget that most times, but then Toby Keith starts playing over the boom of the fireworks and nacho-chest starts to cry, and in the glow of the blazing sky I see that the leashed children are all holding flags. I'm from the south and I can't forget the land of the pine needles from whence I hail. God bless America, from sea to shining sea.