When I picked the kids up from daycare yesterday, they were all excited and asked when they would get to see fireworks. And then, since my eldest asked what the holiday was about, I told him. Most of it was new to him, except that he knew who George Washington was. And I told him that we have fireworks to remind ourselves of the war our founding fathers fought so we could have a country of our own and make our own rules, such as the one that says he has to sit in a car seat until he grows another half inch. Not sure just how true that is about the reasons behind celebrating with Saturn missiles and Roman candles, but that's how I see it.

We also talked about Israel's Independence Day. Unlike in America, over there, the same old war still seems to be going on. Yesterday, more than 40 rockets were fired at Israel's towns. A soldier was injured. The other day, a rocket scored a direct hit on a house. Luckily, its residents were in their shelter. Israel's aircraft bombed some weapons storage facilities and concealed launch sites in Gaza. Meanwhile, other wars are happening other places. Iraq, for instance. I read that the Saudis have moved troops to their border now.

I guess it seems ironic to me that we would celebrate independence with sorry imitations of war. Sure, fireworks are pretty and fun, unless you've got PTSD. But it's not only us. Some of the best fireworks shows I ever saw were in Russia. They really get into them there, at least for Victory Day. Yet, it's my opinion that on Independence Day, we would do better to celebrate with peace and quiet instead. Surely we've earned it as a country -- or at least our soldiers and leaders, past and present, have.

And anyway, fireworks aren't just wimpy in comparison to the cannons of old and the missiles and bombs of today. They also pale in comparison to nature's display. Last night, a few people in our neighborhood were setting off fireworks. But then, a thunder storm rolled into our valley. As the lightning strikes lit up the sky and our house shook from noisy rumbles, I found the silly little popping noise of the fireworks sadly outdone. My husband and I celebrated our freedom by watching the storm, having a glass of wine, and making out on the couch. I know, TMI. But we're heading to visit relatives now, where we'll have to try to be impressed with the fireworks while working hard to keep the kids away from them, and I don't think we're going to enjoy it half so much.