4th of July Memories

The weekend passed with mild pain. The greatest sting came when we walked into the theater (on our way to see Hancock--check it out) and ran into the cutout for the new Ice Age movie. I stared at the mammoth with Ray Romano's eyes, and the saber-toothed tiger, and remembered how much Jolene enjoyed the first movie. I don't know how long it will be before I can watch a movie Jolene & I would have enjoyed together. Not now.

But that was a passing thought, an example of several that sped through my mind through the weekend.

Jolene didn't handle crowds well; over the years, especially when we didn't have a car, we learned to stay away from people-crush-inducing events like fireworks displays and the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.

So we often went to see a movie for the 4th, and toasted marshmallows over a burners to make s'mores. I remember going to an all-day concert one year; another time, we spent the day at Lakeside Amusement Park. For several years, we lived in a 3rd floor condo where we could see fireworks from across Denver. Without the crowds and the ear-splitting rockets, which made Jolene cry as a baby and which she never could endure.

It's been a weekend of sunshine and Rockies' wins, relaxation and rest.

And fond memories of the girl who isn't here to enjoy it with us. She's celebrating true freedom in heaven.

Happy 4th of July

In honor of the 4th of July, I am not going to blog tonight. Expect me back on Sunday night and we'll see how I've experienced this holiday without Jolene.

And as a footnote--I am writing about an independence day celebration for my historical romance, Beacon of Love--on the 4th of July! How cool is that!