The Fourth of July.

No, I won’t be talking about how TheDonald has hijacked the holiday and will be making it a crass political statement- one all about him.  (Nothing else ever counts for him, anyway.)

Instead, I will revel in the memories, being mesmerized as a child by the fireworks set off (illegally) by my neighbors. Who happened to be the firemen and the policemen in the area. (Yes, it did affect my concept of what secular laws mean- and who is truly required to comply with those rules.)

When I was sent to camp for the very first time, I remember hating the experience and being bored. (I missed my chemistry set!!!!!) And, where Elliot Richard Dorfman (17 at the time) decided that he was going to teach me how to play the piano and cultivate my love of drama and music. Providing me with a one man show to sing songs that I had never heard before- I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy, You’re a Grand Old Flag, Over There, and a slew of others. Not just the music- but Elliot taught me the history behind these songs and why they were so important. (He also wrote a play about aliens- with its signature song, “Who are those strangers”, which really was a commentary on McCarthyism- and our current (and past) xenophobia- which was (and still is) rampant at the time.) Thanks, Elliot. May your home in heaven keep you in music forever.

I also remember that day in 1974, which was a Tuesday (according to Jewish tradition an auspicious moment to start things), when I married my (then) wife. And, if I were a secular spiritualist (which I am not) the concept of 7-4-74 (combinations of 7 and 11) would have also proved auspicious. What it actually proved was that a marriage can go in with a bang and out with one.

Of course, in spite of the fact that I NEVER believed in the concept, “My Country, Right or Wrong” or it’s worse version, “Love it or Leave it”- I truly believe that this is a great country that can only be great by doing right by all its citizens, by eradicating the racial hatred instilled by many of those in the South (and almost as many who reside in the North), by building an infrastructure that lets it remain great.  Yes, it will recover from the torment of TheDonald, his emoluments, his lack of policies, his attacks on our allies… OK, enough bad vibes.

Today, this great nation will celebrate its 243rd birthday (give or take). Something that each of us should spend a moment recalling and determining what we will do to make this nation even greater.

It’s also the 28th birthday of my youngest, Daniel Jacob. As is true for all my children, step-children, son-in-law, and grandchild, I am most proud that they have achieved much and are working to make this entire world a little better.

To you, Daniel Jacob, a much deserved happy birthday.  As you celebrate in the Hamptons.   Ani Ohev Otach Me’od.  (It turns out both his mother and I called him within seconds of his actual 28th birthday.)

And, from this year…

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