Happy Birthday, America????

Tomorrow is July 4th. I was thinking about the street in Ives Estates where I lived--206th Street. July 4th was always a special day! Our neighbors the Enterlines always had a huge party. Mr. Enterline was a cook, so he'd make slabs of ribs--boiled in his secret sauce and then grilled. So tender! We'd have hamburgers and hot dogs, always with a tinge of lighter fluid, because Daddy liked pouring it on the fire and watching the fire flare up. Cold watermelon. Chips. Baked beans (from several sources, of course Mommy's were the best!). Popsicles. What seemed like vats of ice tea. Wash tubs filled with ice and all kinds of Coke. Ice cream. Cole slaw and potato salad.  And we always had a huge, decorated birthday cake!

Happy Birthday, America????

Well, we had birthday cake, but it sure didn't say "Happy Birthday, America!" Nope, our cake said "Happy Birthday, BOB!" Mr. Enterline was a July 4th baby. In fact, he had his kids convinced, for years, that the whole country was celebrating HIS birthday on the 4th. Bob Enterline was one of the most generous men I have ever met. He threw a party for himself, but also for the entire street. 

That's not the end of his generosity, though. When my mom and dad died, he brought us food for weeks. He and Mrs. Enterline gave of themselves to anyone who needed help. To their credit, they taught their children to be just as caring and generous. Their son Tim used to help my great-uncle care for our yard, after Daddy died. Tim would do anything to help. It's not a surprise that he became a fire fighter. He loved to serve.  Their daughter Kathy would give away anything she had to help others. Mrs. Enterline became a surrogate mother for me. The 4th of July never passes without my remembering the Enterlines and their generosity and kindness. 

Our celebration didn't end with supper. Tim had a large collection of 45's, and he'd be in charge of the music. We sit and listen or dance to the best of the Oldies. Just the families of 206 Street hanging out and enjoying each other. We kids would play tag, hide-and-seek, Bloody Bones, football, cards, whatever we could have fun doing. 

As darkness fell, Tim was in charge of fireworks. My family strictly held to Florida's laws, so we only had smoke bombs, bottle rockets, and sparklers. The Enterlines always stopped at South of the Border and bought boxes and boxes of REAL fireworks. Our neighborhood fireworks were just as beautiful as "professional" fireworks shows. 

I was able to bring my son to one of Mr. Enterline's birthday parties. I loved being able to continue the tradition, if for only one time. Thank you, Enterlines for the great memories!