Trauma averted

Independence Day is a holiday that we have approached with much trepidation in the past five years. We do so because of the fireworks and the inevitable trauma that would ensue. In the past Joe has hated it with a capital Loathe. He would not just cry, he would shrieke, and his whole body convulsed with fear. His pudgy baby hands would be wrapped so tightly around my neck that I would need another person to pry him off of me.

The first year that we took him to the fireworks we lived in Wilmington, NC. We went to the fireworks display that is held in downtown Wilmington, one of our most favorite sites. When the fireworks began, Joe was...I would not say intrigued, but rather stunned. Stunned by the noise and the visual display. He was only two and a half, and it was all new to him. We were standing on the restaurant and boutique lined street that overlooks the Cape Fear river when the fireworks began. He cried so piteously that a waiter from a restaurant came out and asked if I wanted to bring him inside. Shortly after that exchange the fireworks ended. We headed home with our traumatized baby. The next year we avoided the fireworks, or rather Joe and I did, Kevin took the older boys.

Last year Joe was wooed into attending the fireworks simply because there were inflatables and ice cream at our towns pre-show display. During the actual fireworks he whimpered and had me cover his ears. He had his eyes closed tightly for the duration, opening them only to ask me, "Are they done yet?" It leaves a person mother feeling awful. Thinking that you are making holiday memories with your child only to have it come back and bite you in the butt.

This year was different. He not only kept his eyes opened, but he smiled and enjoyed the fireworks. The cotton candy that I bought from one of the vendors also helped.

I, on the other hand, was itchy through the whole display. Lord have mercy. I am so ready for this poison ivy to be done. I am still coming out with patches of it, if you can believe it.

Three things are keeping me sane.
Number 1: bagels with cream cheese.

Number 2: The Help by Kathryn Stockett. If you have not read this book, go out and get it. Now. GO! I love this book. I could not put it down. It had me laughing and then it had me crying. If it is possible for a book to grow arms and reach out and grab you, this book did that. As I was approaching the final pages I slowed my reading down simply because I did not want to leave Jackson, or Minny, or Abiliene. They are like my good friends and I miss them.

Dear Miss.Stockett,
Please write another book. Go on. I will wait.

Thank-you,
Mrs. Gardner


Number 3: