Fireworks, baby!

Hannah being silly tonight!

It was so important for me to have Hannah see fireworks this year.   Even though it was all about “me,” I wanted her to experience them.  I needed her to experience them.

Last year on July 4th, she was in the hospital.   Her 7th of 8 weeks in a row in the hospital last summer.    Daddy stayed in the hospital with her that night so I could have some fun with Ethan and Abby since I had only been in Vegas for a few days at that point.

Last year, I remember sitting with Abby watching my brother-in-law set off fireworks in the street, watching my kids and their cousins “ooh” and “wow,” wondering what “next year” is going to be like.   Wondering if Hannah will still be here.   Yearning and wishing that she was with me at that moment so she could see the excitement and beauty of the sparks, colors, and sounds.

Watching the fireworks, safe in Daddy's lap

So we went over to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law’s house tonight to have our 2nd annual fireworks fun.   It was already 8 pm by the time we got there, and you could tell Hannah was already getting tired from the day (and from just getting her meds).   But that didn’t stop her.

At first she was not interested in what was going on plus it was hot, but then she started hearing the sounds and caught glimpses of the lighted sparks.   She turned her body around and sat on Daddy’s lap facing the fireworks!

When I saw her watching the fireworks, my heart just swelled.  I kept thinking to myself “Yeah, baby!  You are here!  All my kids are here and it is a wonderful night!”   It really meant so much to me to have her with us, enjoying a fun holiday, and being a part of it.

Hannah ended up falling asleep about 30 minutes before we were done so Daddy had taken her inside to cool down while the cousins and my kids continue to play with their poppers and watch the fireworks from all the neighbors.

I love seeing my kids play with their cousins, and I love the fact the cousins are getting to know Hannah.  She doesn’t get to participate in much and isn’t around when they spend the day or night at their grandparents (Hannah is only there if we are), so I really cherish these times that all six of them are together and they recognize Hannah as part of the family.

Happy 4th of July, baby!