OFF THE CUFF: The Fourth is a favorite holiday for me

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

The Fourth holds first place for me as far as holidays go. Don’t get me wrong. Christmas and Easter top the list. But they’re not holidays, though unfortunately they have become thus in the minds of too many.

But the Fourth of July holds the top spot, and one reason is the memories. Now you know where this is going.

It was many, many years ago. Ah, let’s get down to the facts. The first Fourth I remember anything about was in 1943. Up until that time there were no fireworks at our house except … when the disciplinarian in the household, would reach for that peach tree limb that was handily positioned above a doorway in the kitchen. Talk about fireworks! And double talk. And I’m sorry. And I won’t do it again. I can still feel the sting of that club as it hit my legs. Nothing can smart like a limber peach tree branch. But those are other stories.

The Fourth of July in ‘43 was at the height of World War II. There weren’t many fireworks, but I can remember a table in Ben Eldred’s grocery, in Sulphur Springs, which to me was a supermarket. The table was covered with goodies that made this young boy’s eyes … well you know.

Money was no object. I didn’t have any. But I wandered around the display, wishing, of course, and the lady they called ‘Aunt Judy’ kept an eye open in case I might try to handle any of the merchandise. That would have been a no-no.

Considering everything, there were not going to be any fireworks for this seven-year-old. But something/someone changed that.

It was an elderly lady who lived nearby. To me she was old, but then anyone 40 or more was old. I learned later she was a little older than 40, but to make the story short, she called to me and asked if I had any firecrackers. I figure she was hoping I would say no, which I did, because she didn’t want them exploding in the neighborhood.

But that wasn’t it. She asked if it would be okay with my folks if she gave me some firecrackers. That was the last thing in the world I expected her to say. Guess what I said.

Later she told my mother she had been digging in a drawer and found a couple of old packages of firecrackers. Not so old they wouldn’t make a good “bang” I found out. That’s really my most memorable Fourth. And it recurs every year.

Our home was very patriotic. The flag was always displayed on holidays and the Fourth is/was one of them. That habit, which many people seem to feel is politically incorrect, since they don’t display the flag at appropriate times, is still embedded in me.

I like to drive around town and see flags fluttering. And a drive through Hillcrest Cemetery and out past Mt. Pleasant Cemetery always inspires me to be thankful for the freedoms that are so dear and which have been bought by so much sacrifice. And I always notice, and shudder, when during a parade there is so little respect shown our flag. Showing such respect takes so little effort.

I hope to see lots of red, white and blue as I take a tour this Fourth. At your house.

Dodie Evans is the editor emeritus of the Westside Eagle Observer and may be contacted by email at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 4 on 07/03/2013