Mortar Fire

We only purchased about $42 worth this year. Barely enough to afford a few legal fountains, and some sparklers. I won't lie, there might've been a few others in the bunch...

But as I walked onto the deck, after our "display" was finished- the smell of mortars, and smoke, filled my nostrils. I knew instantly, that it wasn't from our display alone- after all, ours was the smallest we'd done yet, but rather, it was the smell of a neighborhood, even, a country united... for once. Suddenly, it hit me. I welcome the smell of mortars as a celebratory thing. I live in a country where mortar fire, and smoke is a sign of celebration, and not something we fear.

As I looked out over the American's Dream- the row of black triangles representing homes- the American Dream is silouhetted by the pink, blue, and even white of the explosions over Lake Wylie.

It is one of the only countries left, on the face of the earth, where we PAY for the the chance, to smell that smell.... to light something up, not out of fear, or defense, but rather, an excitement, a love for our country, or just because- DOGGGONIT, we CAN!!!!!

I love this country. As I watched the silhouettes across my backyard light up, I wondered. "Am I the only one who REALLY thinks of what this day means?" Am I the only one left who cares? I hope not.