Brerah

On fireworks...

For the last two nights I have stood with my neck in a fixed position as I gaze skyward at perhaps one of the things that gets me more instantly excited than anything else. From the first i-think-that-might-give-me-a-heart-attack-and-i-think-i-like-it boom until the paralyzing grand finale, I have realized that my childhood fascination with fireworks still looms large in my life. It is resurrected once/maybe twice a year (depending on where New Year's lands me) and for some reason, watching a fireworks show is absolutely riveting to me.

I was talking to Sarah the other day about my dismay with her having to work on the 4th of July. She didn't seem to think it was such a big deal (coming from a medical family), citing the fact that hospitals don't shut down for holidays. Understandably, she said that her family never celebrated the 4th very much growing up. After I started breathing again, we began to have a conversation about fireworks, and I would like to have an alliteration here and say "fireworks and freedom", but I'm afraid this time, it was just about fireworks.

Growing up, my brothers and I would blow undecent amounts of money on fireworks (one of my brothers still does, which i love). A little later in our childhood, we began to experiment a little more with homemade fireworks, and our money was turned to gunpowder, salt peter, pvc pipes, and cannon fuse. We made all sorts of little "pseudo" bombs and we would entertain ourselves for days playing in this manner. When I was a sophomore in high school, there was a big field party at some guy's land outside of Duncan. Once the night had worn on and the partiers were pretty saucy, I made my move.

I had constructed a 10 inch long bomb, more effectively like a small stick of dynamite. I put a 2 ft. fuse on it b/c i wanted to have time to run a long, long way before it blew. When the time was right, I lit, and I ran. And I watched, and i listened. BOOM! Actually, i didn't even need to listen. The freaking thing blew the end caps off of the pipe and was more like a giant sparkler. I was mad, but I think more, I was disappointed because I wanted the older kids to think I was cool.

Thats okay, I don't have to impress people anymore. I can sit and enjoy them with Sarah and other friends and family. But enjoy them I will, until my neck hurts and beyond. Little ones that you throw at others, ones that can catch your yards on fire, ones that you wish your eyes were bigger to take it all in, and ones that take the air from your chest when they break in the air. I love them all, and I ever will.

posted by corbs @ 2:20 PM