For people in our line of work, this is pretty much a Holy Day of Obligation. I’ll be doing the usual rounds of parades and picnics.

But my very favorite will be the first–the Waynewood parade. Waynewood is a suburban neighborhood that maintains a true small-town feeling. The Fourth of July parade looks like a Norman Rockwell painting — kids with crepe paper streamers in their bikes, big sisters and brothers pulling younger ones in wagons decorated with stars and stripes. The parade traverses a three-block route and ends at the community pool.

It’s a chance to connect with old friends (some of Sara’s friends are now there with THEIR kids). We’ll all wave flags and eat hot dogs and be thankful for all the sacrifices (past and present) that make this a truly Glorious Fourth.

Hope yours is half as good.