For those that celebrate the Fourth of July, it's a time for joy, happiness and gatherings. Many times people take extended weekends to celebrate with family, friends and fireworks. There's something magical about watching these displays of wonder and loud booms.
I believe this was one of Calvin's favorite holidays. He loved lighting smoke bombs and other fireworks. Any reason where Cal could have a lighter in his hand was a good reason for him. I have a video where our family is singing Happy Birthday to my Michelle (my wife) and there's Cal, off to the side flicking the lighter on/off over and over (Until Michelle went over and gave him a big hug as his "punishment"). Many times we would have to try to grab the lighter away from him to get him to stop. This image was from the last Fourth Of July Calvin was alive. Cal needed to have fireworks on this holiday, but he also didn't want to spend a lot of his money. Typically he would like quantity of quality - so he would get some at a decent price, just so there was something to light.
Last year, the first Fourth of July since Calvin passed away, we decided to purchase fireworks and dedicate them to him. These were not your ordinary "small Minnesota" fireworks, but the good ones. Ann (his sister) and I drove to Wisconsin and bought a couple of the good ones. Prior to lighting, we made sure to mention these were for him. All of our neighbors knew who Calvin was and understood, and welcomed, the fireworks. They lit their fireworks, and at the very end, we lit ours. Everyone was saying Cal's name - mentioning that he would have been proud of our display in affection for him. As sad as the holiday was, and will continue to be for us, it was nice seeing the neighborhood come together, knowing our situation, and welcoming our position.
As much as I am afraid of something going wrong, I feel that we need to continue to buy a few fireworks each year to help remember Cal. So, both Ann and I made the trip to Wisconsin again this year, buying a couple of good-sized fireworks. We hope to be able to light them off in memory of Calvin. What any of us would do to have Cal back, but we can't, so we just have to keep doing things that help keep him in our minds, and our spirits up, even for just a moment.
Cal, we wish you were here with us and miss you every day. I hope you're able to see our fireworks and hear your name. Cal, you will never be forgotten.
-Love Mom, Dad, and Ann