cracks and booms

what's the 4th without any cracks and booms? 

it makes me sad to know that none are allowed here. one of my favorite family traditions is spending the 4th at the smiths. we always began early in the day sticking black cats in the tar of road so they could stand straight up and then run away listening to the crack. our hair was in braids, as not to get in the way and dressed in red, white and blue. as the day progressed and the sun began to set our families would have a potluck bbq. i loved watching in the lawn chairs and listening to stories as my brothers put on a show. a thought was never thought about the big beautiful trees or the power lines or the street lamps hanging over, it just didn't matter. we would peek down the street, as the whole neighborhood put on their own small town show. i miss the sounds of those big booms. the night would end with a jacket over our shoulders, bowl of homemade ice cream and the grand finale. a golf or tennis tournament was thrown into the mix as we grew older. but now traditions are changing as families are growing. it just doesn't seem to be the 4th without the cracks and booms.