July 4th

Fireworks... as much as I had always loved them, now I hate them with a passion. I guess I should qualify that statement. If we are at one of the Disney parks, then yes, I would love their fantastic display of fireworks and would not miss seeing it. But as far as fireworks being sold all over the countryside here to anyone who has a match, then I am right back to hating fireworks again.

When we first bought this property, my husband was one of the guys up at the fireworks stand, buying boxes of light-up-the-sky-with-color fireworks for the 4th of July.  We didn’t know how those bomb-like noises disturbed livestock and wildlife, to say nothing of neighboring dogs, cats, and horses. We know better now, so we do better. (To paraphrase Maya Angelou.)

Then Savannah came into our life... this gentle old-soul of a dog... who ran off when a new neighbor set off boxes of fireworks in April (April?!) and our Savannah was lost in the woods for 12 days. Just when we had given up all hope after our continuous searching, Savannah found her way back home. I forgave the neighbor... until more fireworks were set off... and more... and then still more.

Just recently, forgiveness came knocking and I gave in.... let bygones be bygones... after all, our Savannah was safe and at home.  And then yesterday was the 4th... fireworks all afternoon from a property off in the distance... and then gunshots and fireworks from the ‘new’ neighbor right after dark last night. Savannah could not stop shaking... she literally made herself sick... I had her wrapped up in a blanket and then I wrapped myself around her. We stayed like that while the across-the-road fireworks kept on and on. Savannah was sick all last night, all day today, and she is just now calming down... at nearly midnight, the day after.

Forgiveness is easy when lessons are learned and behavior is modified so no one gets hurt, either physically or emotionally. Forgiveness is just about impossible when people continue to do whatever they want to do with total disregard for anyone else.

Tomorrow is the first Friday of the month... the neighbor ladies will all be here at noon for lunch. All of them, except for two that are out of town. I plan to be on my best behavior. I am also hoping that no one asks me how we celebrated the 4th.