How was Your 4th?

Last updated on: December 30, 2014 at 3:36 pm by Mark Shea

How was Your 4th? 2014-12-30T15:36:08-07:00 Mark Shea

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Ours was fantastic. I was a little concerned that this 4th would be a bit of a letdown, because for years the Fam has gathered down at my brother’s house for a huge bash which includes a full Jazz Band playing a two hour set on the lawn, swimming in the lake and eating copious amounts of ribs, burgers, and chicken, plus a jillion guests and a huge fireworks show courtesy of the neighbors. My brother, understandably, decided enough was enough after a decade and so announced no Big Party this year.

So we had a small gathering at Chez Shea with a few friends and our kids, daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law to be, and, of course, Lucy the Cuteness. Quite miraculously, as if in answer to prayer, the sun suddenly came out after what seems like weeks of grey chill and it was beautiful: that wonderful combination of a cloudless blue sky and yet the temperature was probably never above 72–perfect for my fair-skinned Celtic bride. We ate the requisite burgers, set up the croquet game which we never got around to playing, pulled out the squirt guns and the brohirrim nailed each other (and Dad) repeatedly and the Cuteness, had a wonderful time in the pool and with the squirt technology.

Finally, as the shadows lengthened, we went in the house to warm up a bit and dry off, I took a bit of a nap, and then Tasha took the Cuteness home to be and celebrated American patriotism by watching English television such as Dr. Who while Luke came with Jan, Pete, Sean and I and we went down to the Edmonds Ferry Dock (about 10 minutes from our house) where we strolled on the beach and watched fireworks going off all the way around the Sound from Edmonds, over to the south end of Whidbey Island, and out on the Kitsap Peninsula across the sound, all while the sun was setting leaving a gorgeous afterglow and a gigantic full moon was rising red in the East.

We then walked on the Ferry and sailed from Edmonds to Kingston over on the peninsula and watched the giant Edmonds Fireworks Show from the boat as she sailed away–best seats in the house. We could also see the Lynnwood display up north as well as the Kingston display. The air was salt, the breeze was cool but not too cold. We rode over to Kingston–about a half hour crossing–got off the boat briefly, then got back on with about a thousand foot passengers who were leaving Kington, as well as enough cars to completely pack the boat. Then back across to Edmonds under a perfect starry night. Saw the Dipper and Cassieopia, and I’m pretty sure I saw Antares low in the West. Then we walked back to the car, with Peter singing snatches of happy tunes about America and such. I was with people I love, in the place I love best in all the world. What a great country! Thanks be to God.