...fireworks bursting in air. Gave proof that Tina's party was indeed here!
Yes, the annual 4th of July party at Tina's took place this year at her home instead of our other venue - her cousin Kim's house. It was as always so much fun - food, friends, and fabulous fireworks.
This was my year "with Logan" and something we look forward to each summer. To be fair to Bill, he has never kept Logan from attending. This makes it much nicer for me as I think the pool, the kids, and the familiarity is great for Logan to count on. Not too mention that I know Chris' family since I'm little and it's like seeing my own childhood in reverse as I see our many offspring interacting. Susie's boys with Logan, Tommy's older boy (15) interacting, the many girls giggling away and thinking that the boys are stupid - it warms my heart.
This year's fireworks were bigger and better than ever before as well as having three nearby neighbors also setting theirs off. Truly awesome. Chairs all over front lawn, blankets strewn all over, and me dousing myself in bug spray. All the senses alive - sight, scent, sound (fireworks)...and even touch (ashes from above) and taste (bug spray and dare I say gun powder.)
An added touch to this year, was we celebrated Lindsay's Graduation, though she and her friends kept their distance from the rest of us. As we loaded up our many bags and did a quick did-I-leave-anything-behind look around, Kelly and I stole some glances at the big kids as they hung out on the side of the house and swam about. Chris had bought a breathalyzer to make sure that nobody (under age) drove under the influence as we can't turn a blind eye to a young group of 18 year olds. He also collected keys - nobody gets keys without breathing into the machine. Kelly and I scored 0.0 which did not surprise us but I think impressed the young girls who saw us enjoy a Sangria at the beginning of the party (4pm - mind you!) All in all, a good viewing for Logan to understand what it means to hang with friends with adult supervision (again talking about the bigger kids.)
So we're home safe and sound. Always happy to arrive home with all limbs, eyes undamaged, and car not blown up driving home. The animals are still a bit bothered by the noise surrounding us. Hoping that they can relax a bit before I have to wake up to let Shadow out. He wouldn't go out at 7:30pm when I brought food home to dad or when we came home at 10pm.
A great day with a few fleeting thoughts that this day many years ago was my wedding day in Jamaica. I think the bigger surprise is that it's been seven years since Bill moved out (next Saturday is that anniversary), two years before that of arguing and indifference, and only seven years of what I thought was an okay marriage. The time away from Bill is almost greater than the time with him. Not sure how to dissect that and if there is any need to even do that. Maybe it's time to realize that life A.B. (After Bill) is what it's all about. It's almost impossible to remember life with him. I think I'll reclassify it and call it L.W.L. (Life with Logan) and smile at those memories. I'll leave you with this one that warmed my heart today...
Sitting in Church this morning, Logan wrapped his arms around my left arm and rested his head on my left shoulder. I rested my head against the top of his and closed my eyes. Sure, Logan was probably bored and tired...but it was precious to have him draw comfort from my presence. And that is how I will remember my 16th Wedding Anniversary. My souvenir to a so-so marriage...priceless and all mine!
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