4th of July in Linton, Indiana

Jun 27, 2011

Every year my husband and I take a trip to Linton, Indiana for the 4th of July. I have been to many cities that celebrate our nations great history but I have never seen anything like this. Every year the week of the 4th of July the town citizens make it into a big deal. An example, is during that week they have a carnival, parades, flea markets and tons of celebrating. Now to understand the big deal is that Linton, Indiana is a very small city. It holds less than 10,000 people. And that is really pushing it. They may have less than 5,000. I really don't know because I wasn't raised there like my husband. But it is a huge celebration. This small town has many people that come from other parts of the nation just to celebrate the 4th of July. On that day every year the Blue Angels fly above are heads as the parade begins. This parade can last 2-3 hours. It's filled with floats and bands from the local schools. It's truly a remarkable event. My husband comes from a big family and some of the family lives in Tennessee, Illinois and like me and my husband from Indianapolis. We all pile into a car and heads towards Linton. Now in this small town there are 2 hotels. And usually during that time the hotels are booked with carnival people. And they are also very small hotels. Therefore, they are usually booked every year. So when all the family gets together for that week to celebrate our Independence Day we all stay with different family members and sleep on air mattresses, couches and anywhere that we can.

Knowing that this 4th of July is different we all will load up our cars and head towards Linton. This 4th of July is different this year. Even tho we are celebrating our nations independence we all feel the void of what the last year has brought to us. You see my father in law passed away last September and I almost lost my father in May. My father in law passed away due to congested heart failure. Being a RN I knew that last year he wouldn't make it to another 4th. I believe he knew too. He was very adamant that everyone be there last year. Also my father almost died in May. He was at the doctor's office with my brother in law for his usual appointment for his back pain and in the lobby of the doctor's office he has another heart attack. When my father was 42 years old he had his 1st  heart attack. He has also been fighting with congested heart failure for years. When he had the heart attack in May they needed to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and defribillation (shock) 6 times. I believe my father had a guardian angel with him for him to survive the kind of heart attack he did. My mother passed away in 2004 and I believe it was her that was with him. Needless to say all of this has kinda hit home. With my father having his 1st attack at 42 I can't help but wonder if I am next. Last year in August I turned 41. I took a look at myself in the mirror and realized that  I needed to make some changes. Therefore, my weight lost journey began.

So here it is 4th of July is this weekend and as a family we are all heading to Linton to celebrate not only our Independence Day. But to celebrate that we have survived another year. Of course there will be tons of food and tons of celebrating but I can't help but think about Homer (father in law) and the suffering he went through and the suffering my father has been through. I know that some people have the WLS to look better and may have been told that if they didn't have it they may not make it another year. When I began the weight loss journey I wanted to lose the weight for my health and now I know I need it. And while everyone else is having their cotton candy, pies, hamburgers, chips, donuts and homemade goodies I will be drinking my protein shakes and smile. Because I know they are enjoying their goodies and I can enjoy my life.

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