my 4th.

yard clean-up. house clean-up. last-minute errands. food prep. streamers lining the back porch. foil stars on the windows. 115 degrees. zero hesitation about jumping in the pool. 15 children. 10 adults. burgers complete with avocado, bacon and mushrooms. pasta salad. endless watermelon, strawberries and blueberries. grilled corn on the cob. hot dogs. D manning the grill. fizzy drinks. basketball in the pool. wandering adorable toddlers. dads flying down the slide. great conversation. new friends. fire pit by the pool. kids packed around the fire roasting marshmallows. gooey s'mores, sticky faces. wrinkly little swimming feet. sparklers lighting up little faces. catching glimpses of fireworks from the roof. kids collapsing in bed. quick backyard clean-up.

grateful for freedom, my family, friends and parties.