[] the view from a blanket []

A few weeks back, Amanda, Holly, and Christy and I ventured 20 miles north to Brighton, Missouri for their annual fireworks display. The church there held a very organized event, from the parking arrangements to the the nights lineup of entertainment, it was a simple, beautiful evening. I tend to forget that I live in the Midwest, visually, there is nothing around my everyday life that would make me feel "Midwestern". Does that make sense? Being surrounded by the open sky, vast fields, and kind people would probably be the iconic Midwestern existence. Emulating the TV show "the Andy Griffith Show", a small piece of Brighton had been transformed into the town of Mayberry.

Under the main tent held all the deep-fried, full fat goodness that adorned every flimsy plate.  My friends decided on the generous helping of homemade cobblers and ice cream for just a few dollars.  As we headed back to our little spot on the ground, a train full of smiling kids passed in front of us.  Some of the kids had colorful balloons tied to their wrist and a melting snow cone in their other hand as they clueless walked among the strangers.  And may I note that these strangers were the nicest ever.  One man directed me to what he thought "was the cleanest port-a-potty" he had ever been in.  Well, I totally disagreed, but it was the nice gesture that counted.

Amanda had brought the most appropriate thing: a blanket big enough for all of us to lay on.  It was perfect.  Sitting on the ground, people watching, listening to passing conversations, observing fashion that I hope was just a take on the "Mayberry lifestyle", and getting to be with friends makes time stand still for me.  Its like I'm so happy, nothing else matters and I loose track of the things that normally distract me.  

The sun had finally set across the warm, blue sky and the fireworks began.  I had low expectation for the show, honestly.  I thought a few bottle rockets, maybe jazzed up with some gasoline type of show would end the night, but I was very wrong.  It was beautiful.  These huge white, fountain plumes expanded across the entire horizon, forcing us to lay back on the blanket to take it all in.  At one point in the show, they were playing Jeff Buckleys rendition of "Hallelujah".  The fireworks matched the beauty of his recording. The nights end came to soon, but I left with a renewed appreciation for friends and a simple life (and indoor bathrooms). More Mayberry love...