The 4th of July was a big summer holiday for my family when I was growing up.  My Mom, Dad, Big Sister and Little Brother would go to my Uncle Elmer and Aunt Jean’s house.  They lived kind of in the country for Florida.  I remember one time especially well, I was about six years old.  My Dad and Uncle Elmer roasted a whole pig.  My Mom, Aunt Jean and her Sister made everything else to go with it, you know baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad ( my Mom’s was the best), corn on the cob and rolls.

Us kids played tag and ball in the field next to their house.   When we were finish or just wanted to take a break we would just lie there and stare up at the sky.  We could hear our Moms talking and laughing together.

My  Dad always made home made ice cream and I can still remember the flavor; Tutti Fruitti.  Our ice cream maker was a hand crank back then (the one I have is electric).  My Dad would do all the churning.  When it would start to get hard to turn, all of us kids would get in line to sit on the top of the ice cream maker.  So, that there would be weight on it, my Dad said it helped him hold it in place but, looking back he really didn’t need our help.  When the ice cream was almost ready he added all the mixed fruit.  I don’t remembered how that roasted pig tasted but, I do remember that ice cream.

We didn’t have fire works but, we had sparklers.  When it got dark we would run in the field with our sparklers, we loved sparklers.  Then we all settled down and had that wonderful ice cream.

Now my Mom, Dad, Uncle Elmer and Aunt Jean are all gone but, they left me with wonderful memories of a simpler time when families gathered together and took the time to be together.

Hope that you have wonderful 4th of July, appreciate your freedom and family.