Usually on the fourth of July, we do a parade and fireworks, and pretty much just go crazy the whole day. This year, the parade didn’t work out, and I was exhausted from a combination of work deadlines and intense vacationing. We still had a picnic, and spent most of the day with friends.

By the time the evening rolled around, however, I was barely awake.

“Dad,” my youngest son said. “Are we going to the fireworks?”

I groaned. “I was thinking maybe we’d stay inside tonight. Maybe watch the fireworks on television…”

“Television?” He looked at me like I’d lost my mind.

“Yeah, you know. They have big celebrations that they show, from all around the country.”

“I’d rather see them for real.”

Tough to argue with that one. “Yeah, me too.”