4th of July

My mom knows how to celebrate and we celebrated every holiday with enthusiasm. The 4th of July is her favorite, second only to Christmas. A typical 4th of July from my childhood would have started very early in the morning. I would have been dressed in my most patriotic outfit, including any flag or star jewelry, possibly worn in my pony tails. We would have driven in at least 1 parade, usually more, and thrown candy to the crowd. At some point there would be BBQ, deviled eggs, potato salad, and corn on the cob. We would have small fireworks at home, like snakes, sparklers and bottle rockets. When it was finally dark we would go to the park and watch the big fireworks display sitting on the hood of a car. Throughout it all there would be lots of family, friends, music and laughter.

This year the 4th of July was very different. Ryker was at scout camp all last week. Friday night was the last night and families were invited up for a Luau. Jordyn, Quincie and I drove up to camp Pupukea for the festivities. It was a long drive, but very beautiful.

Camp Pupukea is on top of a mountain that overlooks the ocean. It is an amazingly beautiful spot. Once at the camp you are pretty much in the jungle. You are transported to another world. It is green and lush. Everything is damp and glistening. It rains frequently, nearly every day. It smells magical.

It was great to see Ryker after a week. I missed my boy! He is such a great kid. We watched the scout's closing exercises, and then dug into the feast! Nothing makes me hungrier than camping. Just the smell of camp makes my stomach start to rumble. They piled they yumminess high and deep!

Later, we hiked to the amphitheater for the campfire. There in the dark it could have been a site for medieval druid ceremonies. The rows of seats were cut into the mountain. The tall trees and the jungle surround it on every side. In the center is the campfire. Looking straight up from the fire is the only other light - the stars. The stars are so bright and beautiful.

The different troops all did their skits. Our troop did the Hakka - a native warrior dance from New Zealand - very manly! They were great! Our boys are the best!

At the end of the night the scouts retired an American flag. I had never seen this ceremony before and it was very moving. Ryker, along with boys from the other troops performed the retiring. One of the boys explained what the symbols of the flag mean, and how they need to be retired after they are worn. Respectfully the flag was cut into parts and one by one they were placed on the roaring campfire. Watching the flag burn and the sparks float into the air, up toward those glittering stars brought many things to mind.

The sparks of the flag floated up into the night sky to join the powerful and eternal light of heaven. Just like those that have lived and died for freedom take their spark and add it to the eternal light. We must all do our part. The contribution of each person is vital. Without freedom we cannot reach our full potential as human beings, as children of God.

Freedom is sacred, and the fight for it is our first priority.