Born on the Fourth of July

Miguel was due to be born on 6/30/01 and, being phobic about hyper-patriotism, I said, "I don't care when he's born as long as it is not on the 4th of July". This proclamation, of course, guaranteed that he would be born on that very day. I went into labor on the night of 7/3/01 and have clear memories of labor set to the tune of "Yankee Doodle Dandy". Yes, one of my friends sang that little ditty with glee while I moaned and tried to kill her with my powerful stare. Miguel was born on 7/4/01 at 11:18 a.m. and, as I watched the fireworks from the hospital window, I remember thinking simply, "Wow." Beautiful fireworks. Beautiful baby. Beautiful family. Amazing day. I have felt the same sense of awe every year for the past 6 years and the 4th of July has become one of my favorite holidays. It's funny...kids really can make you see the best in everything.