BYGONE ASHLAND 4TH OF JULYS

This year Meagan will celebrate completing her first year in Santiago, Chile, a year of much growth and adventure, and landing a  good job with the Chilean government.  Her twin sister, Lara, just moved to Pasadena, California, where she hopes to have more social life while continuing her new job with the alumnae office of Scripps College.
    When the girls were one, and for many years thereafter, they came with their parents Warren and Linda to Ashland over the 4th of July.  We'd gather in my home on Liberty Street, and it was an easy walk to the parade.  My mom was often here to see her granddaughters, and that first year she brought a great inflatable raft that the girls could go in as a mini-pool,  for the weather was hot.
It was lovely to see them in their striped red & white and blue & white dresses, and their great curiosity watching the parade.  Afternoon was rest up and nap time for us all, and in all likelihood, my mom brought some of the goodies for lunch.  So the girls got to better know me, their birthmom, and their Grandma Jeanette.  Several years their parents went to a Shakespeare play in the evening, and I got to read stories and put the girls to bed, then they'd gather them asleep to take them back to their motel.  Neal was usually off with his friends for the day, as he was entering his teens, and hanging out with me wasn't so cool.  Happy memories, and now they are both 26, and very much living their adult lives with new friends.  We stay in touch on Facebook, or the occasional letter or phone call.  This tradition of gathering over the 4th was a highlight in my year!
     Last year I saw Meagan for an afternoon at a Briscoe Fair, where we watched Jeff play with his salsa band, and the three of us shared lunch at Wileys.  Within two weeks, she'd moved from Eugene to Santiago, living with Jaime, her devoted Chilean boyfriend who had been courting her for years.
     I have had some 4th of July's completely alone in recent years, but this year I hope to check out Lithia Park with a friend (during the parade time), maybe have a quick trip to the mountains with Jeff if we both have the energy in this week of temperatures over 100 degrees.  A caregiver helped me make a jasmine rice with shredded carrots, ginger, onions and mushrooms for a potluck with new friends.  By eight I'll be home to watch the PBS 4th of July!
   It is a great time to be with loved ones when possible, or hang out with local friends without overdoing it.  Given the heat, I'll have along water, a good hat, sunscreen and my walker so I have my own "seat" if the park is crowded.  The parade without a seat in the shade is just too much for my aging body!
   The 4th is about celebrating and being proud of the freedoms we do have far more than many nations; yes, we have miles to go for true justice and equality, but starting with wild parades in our summers living near Crested Butte, Colorado, the 4th has been special for a long time, and it was my Grandma Dorr's birthday, too!