You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck
The porches and picnic tables of Grenada had very little red, white and blue bunting this July 4th weekend … with the exception of one wooden table on Grand Anse beach.
That Saturday, a group of people with a little national pride in their hearts gathered to celebrate both the United States and Canadian Independence Days. Junk food in all its glory abounded. We didn’t overeat – it was patriotism.
Both Canada and the United States are heavily represented at St. George’s University and we were happy to celebrate shared freedom with our neighbors to the North.
The food and fun were followed by an afternoon in the Sea and a few shenanigans.
On the night of the Fourth, from our squishy sofa, I closed my eyes and imagined being in Sparks beneath the Nugget towers – a Fourth tradition for almost 14 years. I could almost smell the gunpowder as the colors exploded above wide-eyed friends and family.
Back in our little home in Grenada, the pop pop of Boston’s fireworks flickered on our TV as the Boston Pops Orchestra played “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Happy Fourth of July everyone! We are sure are proud to be Americans!
