When did it become popular and edgy to be an asshole about fireworks? I get that our beloved furry friends aren’t a huge fan of the week-long boom boom booming. No one loved Brandy, the Stockton Family golden retriever, more than we did. But Brandy was scared of the vacuum cleaner and lived a long, happy life amidst a more than weekly aural assault by the electric closet monster. It never occurred to us to find a less terrifying dust sucker or resort to sweeping. And fireworks are for all of us. They’re colorful and fun and celebratory and magical (except when they are blowing off the bits of amateurs). I say more fireworks. MORE.

Here at the Cape, we’re getting more. The neighborhood show is tonight and I’m as excited as a little kid who yells, “AGAIN!” after each blast. July 4^th celebrations coincide with Bernie’s birthday (and mine a few days away), picture postcard weather, and Lees taking vacation days by the beach. We have resting smile faces. The biggest decision today will be where to nap.

Because we’re human, there are a few real stressors lurking. As we sit here draining the coffee pot, Bernie says aloud what we’re both thinking: ugh, there’s a lot of work to do. However, we have decided to actively NOT THINK about it today. So I’m not thinking about the large and expensive home improvement project that is delayed because my contractor’s truck and tools were stolen, or that he somehow crashed my car mere minutes after borrowing it. Nope. There’s a cookout and fireworks later.

I’ve never been a small stuff sweater, but Bernie is a champion at putting the bigger things (like crashed cars) into perspective, too. Summertime makes me more aware of the Big Picture. Maybe there is more time for reading, for prayer, for real relaxation. Maybe it’s also because summertime is a rather constant reminder of cancer for me. Bathing suits that have outstretched their ability to hide scars and summer friends who ask in hushed concern, “how’ve you been… are you OK?” are prompts to recall the whole scary time. To be clear, it’s sweet that they ask; after all, they watched me grow hair for three summers. And I am OK. So does it matter that the car we hardly use is in the shop? Nope. There’s a cookout and fireworks later.