Apologizing to John Adams

John,

I’m turning in my family.  That’s right, I want them prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for raising me to ‘mis-celebrate’ one of our nations most glorious and celebrated days, July 4th.

You see, while reading my buddy Brent’s blog (click here) about celebrating this historic day, I realized that for 25 years July 4^th has meant goodbyes, sadness, 12 hour drives in a minivan stocked with 6 adults, 2 dogs, and twice as much luggage as needed, and the end of my absolute favorite time of year. 

Each year right around this time I start looking forward to next year’s beach week.  Beach week is when my family and the entire Zulauf side rent a house on the beach and have exhausting days of sitting in the sand listening to the ocean, playing bocce ball, boogey-boarding, and drinking yuengling.  It is hands down my favorite time of year.  It’s like a week-long celebration of good times and family that we get to look forward to all year, pretty much the very thing you wanted us to do when you spoke of July 4^th some 200 years ago. 

The problem is that each year the celebration ends within a day or two of July 4.  And to make matters worse I really only get to see my cousins 3, maybe 4 times a year because they live in Virginia.  And it’s really cool too because when we do get together it’s like we see each other all the time.  We hit mid-season form with smart-ass comments, debates, and storytelling within minutes.  There’s really never a dull moment.  For me it’s like having two brothers for a week that you never really fight with, awesome right?   I want all this used as evidence against my Uncle Harry for taking a job in the mid 1980’s that moved them from Columbus to Richmond.  I know it has worked out great for them, they are all happy, but come on, I’ve got to be a little selfish here because if they still lived here I’d see them all of the time. 

I’ve got to confess as well.  I don’t exactly get over goodbyes all that well.  So, when I do get home in time for fireworks and parades, my emotions are still so low that I don’t do anything to celebrate freedom.  As a matter of fact I do the opposite.  Like this year I slept for 6 hours (partly because I drove from 1:30am-6) and then got up and pouted about being home for a solid 2 hours, then made a very lame attempt at celebrating by watching fireworks from the sidewalk in front of our house while throwing a fake “ooo” or “ahh” out of my state of depression every 10 booms or so, but really never got into it. 

So anyway, I just want to say I’m sorry.  I really haven’t celebrated July 4^th the way it is supposed to be celebrated.  I’m prepared for whatever sentence my family and I receive, just please keep it to under 348 days, we’re leaving for the beach. 

Thanks,

Scott