Do you have a Fourth of July tradition?

Every year, my husband and I have a tradition of running in a 4th of July race around a beautiful lake. It started when our son was 3. The event is filled with families. A giant pancake breakfast is served, a DJ playing music for the kids and trophies are given out. It is our 4th of July Tradition.

We all run together, have lunch afterward, and end the evening with fireworks.

Throughout the years, our 4th of July race has undergone many changes. For instance, familiar faces were much fewer. There is no longer a pancake breakfast only small bagels, and the kids I watched dance with DJs were minimal. Trophies are now limited, and the firework show became noticably smaller.

I told my husband how sad I was that things had changed so much over the years. My husband reminded me to look at the beauty of the lake.

Do you have a Fourth of July tradition?

Twenty-five years later, my husband and I still run in the same race on the 4th of July.

I arrived at the race this year, surprisingly something inside me felt a nostalgia I thought I had lost.

I noticed  less people; there was no pancake breakfast, no kids dancing, and no trophies. Yet, I still felt a wave of gratitude.

I looked at the beautiful lake and the trees’ reflections in the water. I remembered the road my husband and son ran to win their first trophies. Today, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have another year to run this 4th of July with my husband and continue our 4th July tradition.

I ran with appreciation for the moment.  I was happy.

The memories are the only trophy I need.