Nadine J Walters – My Life

Question for me: Where have you been? How was your July 4th holiday?

Answer:
I’ve been out of town, visiting my children in their city—and the Fourth of July was just right. Not too much, not too little. Everything I needed.

I left my very hot home the day before the holiday and headed north. The day before I left, our air conditioner had a little hiccup, so I called for a service check just to be safe. Lucky I did—turns out a part was about to fail, and my husband would’ve been stuck in a sauna if it hadn’t been fixed. So really, the trip began on a high note: I didn’t have to worry about leaving him behind.

Now, don’t think I’m abandoning him—he genuinely doesn’t like to travel and much prefers the peace of his own little world.

So off I went. Andy was excited too—he was going to visit his doodle cousins. The drive was a bit busy but not bad, and I arrived with plenty of time to relax and help plan the holiday.

This is where it got really fun. My son and daughter teamed up to organize the day. They found a charming little neighborhood parade nearby—exactly the kind of hometown celebration I love. It was low-key, festive, and full of heart: high school bands, athletic teams, classic cars, a couple of floats, and a finale of neighborhood kids riding decorated bikes and scooters. The parade route was lined with trees and families sitting on curbs, waving and cheering. It was the best time ever.

I sometimes worry that my kids won’t be able to give their own children the kind of small-town vibe they grew up with. So it was incredibly heartwarming to see events like this still exist—and even better, to see that my children know how to find them.

After the parade, we headed to the local park for more festivities: face painting, temporary tattoos, a bluegrass band, food stands, and neighbors just hanging out and enjoying each other’s company. My kids decided right then that this would become a yearly tradition. They’re building a list of holiday go-to’s, just like we used to when they were little. Seeing them work together to create joyful, lasting memories for their families makes me deeply happy.

That evening we kept things simple—grilled burgers, corn on the cob, ice cream, and no neighborhood fireworks, just watching the New York City display on TV before an early bedtime.

The rest of the weekend was filled with trips to the zoo, birthday party shopping, playing with the dogs, and relaxed dinners. Nothing too busy. Just good, easy, summer fun.

Conclusion:
It was the kind of holiday I love—rooted in family, full of laughter, with just enough activity and plenty of space to simply enjoy. I came back feeling grateful, recharged, and hopeful. Sometimes the best celebrations are the ones that don’t try too hard