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Why I Love the Fourth of July...(By Jodie, aged 12 1/2, As Assisted By Her Mother, Louisiana) by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado
Saturday, July 3, 2004
Rated "G" by the Author.
Jodie wanted to talk about why she enjoys the Fourth of July holiday.
I may not be able to talk all that much, but I AM able to let people know just how I feel about things, good OR bad. And one of the things that makes me feel especially good happens to be the Fourth of July.
I love the Fourth of July because that means it is almost my birthday. My birthday so happens to be one week after the Fourth of July, on the 11th. On July 11 of this year I will become a teenager. I will be 13 years old. I also love the Fourth of July because we can go to the parade (or be IN the parade; my brothers, Johnny, Michael, Richard, and Anh, and my sisters Ronee', Gemini, Summer Song, Camey, Tammi, Starlight, Barbara, and Michelle were in the parade; we JUST went to the parade, and we are now at McDonald's getting a bite to eat before we go home for an hour and then leave for the festival at the park; we have to go home because it will be time for me to eat, and that takes about forty five minutes to feed me). We also can go to festivals or celebrations like the one being held at Centennial Park, and while there, we can do things like go on the carnival rides, listen to music, or eat to our heart's content. Now, me, I go to people-watch. I really can't do a lot for myself (I am in a wheelchair), and so I can't ride the rides (unless someone sits with me and holds me tight, so I don't fall out), and I also can't eat by mouth; so I just sit and enjoy the people having fun. It may sound borning to you, me just sitting around in my chair, watching people, but really it is not because to see other people having fun makes ME feel good, and I love being among people. I enjoy the noise, the smells, and the sights of all the colored clothes that people wear, and all the differences in hair, skin, or eye color. I sometimes see people like myself, in wheelchairs, and some aren't too bad off, but there are others like me, and then I don't feel so bad about my own problems because there are people who have it worse than ME. They can't see, hear, OR talk, and they are retarded. Me, I CAN talk a little, and I AM retarded and am in a wheelchair, but at least I can see, hear, and talk a LITTLE bit! And I AM able to learn! Not a LOT, mind you, but I CAN learn! It just takes me a lot longer is all!
Besides people watching, I also love to listen to the music they have playing at the festival and watching the entertainers. I also love the different smells of food, and also watching the rides. I also love it when my brothers or sisters try to win me prizes; I have gotten more stuffed animals that way, from my brothers or sisters playing the games!...But the best thing about this whole Fourth of July business is the fireworks. I LOVE the sound of the fireworks, and I LOVE seeing them light up the night sky! They look like different colored stars, and some of them are so neat-looking! Like those ones that look like crysanthemums! Those are the prettiest ones by far, but they are sure LOUD! WOW! They shake my wheelchair and the ground if we are close to them!! WOW!! It is cool!!
I always like to pretend that since my birthday is a week after the Fourth of July, the people are celebrating just for me, and the parades and fireworks are all for me. I know that it is really for America, as it is her birthday, but still, I like the thought of everyone having parades, barbeques, music, and especially the fireworks, in my honor! LOL
This is why I love the Fourth. It is close to my birthday, and I can have that to look forward to, and I can look forward to the festivals and the fireworks! :)
~Jodie, aged 12 1/2. (Written on Sat., July 3, 2004, at 10:45 a.m., C.S.T.)
this is a well told story--i love the part, "...i always like to pretend that since my birthday is a week after the fourth of july, the people are celebrating just for me..." precious!
well done!
(((HUGS))), love, and happy (safe) fourth of july, karla. :)
A short story of mine was included in an anthology of short fiction by fourteen of Port Town Publishing Company's authors. It is out of print and no longer available except as a download. Contact me at charlenetess@yahoo.com if you want it.
I may not be able to talk all that much, but I AM able to let people know just how I feel about things, good OR bad. And one of the things that makes me feel especially good happens to be the Fourth of July.
