Independence, T-bones and a Cake Server

1. I bake my brother's recipe for Key Lime Cake. When it is time to assemble the layers, I retrieve my mother's vintage aluminum cake server from the basement shelf where it is stored. As I give it a washing, I discover my mother's name on the bottom, printed with a black Sharpie in her very distinctive handwriting. Something I already treasured becomes priceless. A tear falls...

2. My son walks into the kitchen and gazes with visible joy at the size of the T-bones we will grill for the two men in my household on this day of celebration. Britt and I opt out of the red meat.

Britt, who has become an excellent cook slices and chops, pours and measures as she prepares the marinades and seasoned butter for the grilled meat and ears of corn that we will cook. I smile. I am glad they are both home with us today.

3. We close our day of celebration with a fire in our copper fire bowl, a fresh pot of coffee, a few toasted marshmallows, Key Lime cake (which by the way was no where as good as when my brother cooks it) and a 360 degree fireworks display provided by our many neighbors. We loudly ooooooohhh and aahhhhhhh. rewarding their efforts with vocal appreciation. Two doors down,
from the other side of our wooden privacy fence ,I hear a small voice filled with excitement at the beauty of the fireworks display, taking a cue from our whooping and hollering as they squeal with joy. They are new to our street and at this moment probably thankful for moving into our modest neighborhood, that is anything BUT modest when it comes to Independence Day celebrations.