Born On The 4th of July

My niece, JL, was born on July 4th three years ago. Her birthday was celebrated at my brother's house. We arrived at JL's 3rd birthday party on the evening of the 4th, intending to watch the community fireworks display after the ritual opening of presents. JL is a beautiful child with dark brown eyes, a gorgeous olive complexion and dark brown hair, just like her Mom and Dad. When I walked in the house and said "Hi, Angel!", she replied in her usual third-person fashion, reiterating the reason for our being there saying, "JL is 3!".

After the requisite sugar bolus we received in the form of cake and ice cream, it was time to open presents. The children in our family are blessed to have many aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents to shower affection and gifts upon them. JL received a princess dress for her birthday last year and spends a lot of time in it, I hear. Her mother has washed it until it is shredded and thread-bare and the entire family proved sympathetic to the cause; JL received no less than 3 new princess dresses for her birthday!

It wasn't long before JL was newly attired in a princess dress, this one complete with a lighted skirt! She was mesmerized by the blinking lights (don't know how that one will hold up in the wash!). Littlewho was so impressed by her appearance, he sweetly and tenderly walked up to her and said "JL, you look like Cinderella!". There was an utterance of "aaaawwwwwws" heard throughout the room from ladies and men alike.

The fireworks started late, around 10pm but it was worth the wait. We had front row seats sitting in the driveway of my brother's home. It was a spectacular display of artistic brilliance, lasting about 25 minutes during which time there were repeated exclamations of "wow!", "oh my gosh!", "how wonderful!", "oooooooo!", and "Happy birthday, JL!".

Can you imagine what must go through a little 3 year old's mind when there is so much gaiety and merriment surrounding her birthday? JL has no idea that we are also celebrating our freedom but--who cares?--we should all be so fortunate to have such a birthday celebration!