FUNNY FIREWORKS STORY

​You know those experiences in life that are stressful at the time but become something you laugh about later?  This story is one of those…

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​I’m a fireworks girl! ​ ​ I love fireworks so much that I have been known to drive all by myself to find a place to pull off the road just to get a glimpse.

My husband has always thought it was cute, but he would much rather watch them on TV.  Being the good sport that he is, he has allowed me to drag him out to see a countless number of fireworks shows.   

So why is it so important that I fight the heat, the crowds, the traffic and the bugs, just to see something I’ve seen for decades?  And why in the world did I feel a little guilty this year because I stayed home to watch them on TV?  I had to do some soul searching to understand what REALLY is behind my love for fireworks.

​Of course, I love to ooooh and aaaaah along with the crowd and try to spot the new ones.  I love the anticipation of the big beautiful ones!  Who doesn’t?   But I think I have finally put my finger on what I really love about fireworks.  It’s the people and the memories of shared experiences that I treasure. 

When I was growing up, I loved spending the Fourth of July with my grandparents in White Plains, NY.  My grandfather, the budget director for Westchester County from 1930-1950, helped with the county’s economic recovery after WWII.  He was eventually able to budget for an Independence Day fireworks show to be held at the high school stadium, where it is still being held today!  While I do remember going down to the stadium for the show, the memories I cherish the most were when we would grab a blanket and walk down the street to a spot where we could get a clear view from a distance.  It was always a fun time with my grandfather.  I remember feeling like they were “my Pop’s” fireworks and feeling proud of him for starting that tradition.  It wasn't the fireworks that were so great, it was having that special time with him that still warms my heart to this day.

My grandfather "Pop" with my mother on her wedding day. He was small in stature but large in character and integrity!

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Fast forward several decades to NY again when my daughter, Kelly, was living in the city!  It had always been a dream of mine to be right on the water like those people you see on TV at the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular.  (If you have that dream when you watch the show, let me share some information that might just help you enjoy your spot from the couch!) 

One year while visiting Kelly, we actually did it!  We got down to the river early enough in the afternoon to claim our spot right next to the water.  We had a picnic, played games, made friends, and watched the sun set.  With great anticipation we waited for it to get dark enough for the fireworks to begin!

As we were waiting, I realized I needed to find a bathroom.  What we didn’t know was that once the area next to the water was filled with people, it was roped off and no one was allowed to get in or out!  Yeah…no way to go to the bathroom!

So I did a little mind over matter and convinced myself that I could hold it until after the fireworks.  During the fireworks, I forgot all about the need for a bathroom and was feeling like this was one of the best decisions I had ever made!  Most amazing fireworks show ever!  

"Ok...​Show is over!  Now…I must find a bathroom on the way to the subway! Oh…Starbucks is closed, really?  Oh that restaurant is closed too, really? ... and that one…and that one?  I thought NY was the city that never sleeps!!!  Oh wait…it IS a holiday after all.  Are you kidding me? There is absolutely nothing open???  Was this was the worst decision I have ever made?  Why did I think this would be fun???”

By now I am starting to panic because, not only is there no place open, but we are in the middle of a hot, sweaty crowd of wall to wall people, all trying to get on the subway at the same time!!!!  We finally get into a subway car and are standing like stinky sardines (much tighter than this picture).  The lady next to me and I were talking about how unbearably HOT it was... when all of a sudden, a woman nearby just took off her shirt - right down to her bra!!!  Then that lady next to me said “Well, she done stripped down!!!”  Now I was really in trouble because I was laughing so hard while trying to hold it at the same time!!!  

We finally made it to our stop and I painfully found an open diner on our walk home!  Whew! Sweet relief!

​I still laugh every time I hear that lady in my head and will forever remember that as a moment when laughter turned a very stressful situation into something bearable, well... almost!

​Even though I said at the time, “I’ll never do that again!”, we actually did go back another year to watch the NYC Fireworks - on a river cruise!  We had a front row spot on the water and watched the fireworks from the upper deck of the boat! Bathrooms were included!  Now THAT was one of the best decisions I have ever made!!!!