The Value of Tradition.

• Author: Cutler, Debbie
• Position: Editorial

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I remember my childhood Fourth of Julys. My parents, brother and I always made home-cranked ice cream on our back porch, then often would go view fireworks at the local park, from our rooftop or from our backyard as we sat in flimsy chairs in the heat of the night. They were magical moments. We'd have fresh strawberries, hot fudge, caramel and maybe even bananas. The Phoenix skies turned dark and the crickets would chirp and the world was perfect.

In Alaska, as a young adult growing to middle-age, things changed. My family tradition, sadly, varied from year-to-year-though the fondest memories were setting off fireworks with my children--Sarah and Jennifer--and neighbors--Peg and Barry--and their children--Sylvia and Zen--who grew older with us, years passing like seasons preschool, gradeschool, junior high and high school. My neighbors have since moved, lost in the realm of forgotten letters.

Sometimes the kids and I would stay up until midnight and watch fireworks set off at the nearby Lions Park in Eagle River. Sometimes we would sleep, our dog waking us with barks as midnight neared. Sometimes we would go to the celebration, and pig out on food while listening to the bands. But nothing was tradition.

Thinking back to my childhood and that of my children, I think I did a disservice to my family. We had no Fourth of...