Growing up, our favorite summer holiday
Was what we knew as the fourth of July
Of course, we kids didn't think of independence
It was a special time when neighbors stopped by

Families in the coal camp of Johnson Bottom
Celebrated pretty much the same way
The hot dogs, hamburgers and other goodies
Were treats to eat outside on that day

Mother bought bottles of what we called pop
In a wooden crate that held twenty-four
And put them in a wash tub filled with water
Cold and fresh from the pump it would pour

Daddy got a special order from the company store
Gallons of ice cream packed in dry ice
We had chocolate, strawberry and vanilla
'Cause one flavor just wouldn't suffice

There were ice cream cones and cold watermelon
Games of hopscotch and horseshoes in the lane
Some played marbles and hide-and-go-seek
I sometimes long for those fun times again

We Americans still celebrate in much the same way
As families did in those days of the past
I hope we never lose sight of what the day really means
And our freedoms that in the World are unsurpassed

Kathleen McCoy EldridgeŠ
May 21, 2007
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