Sparkle and Fade

So yesterday as our country celebrated it's independence in the only way it truly knows how, by blowing shit up, my wife and I attended the annual gathering of the like minded at my buddy Tyler's. This was fun as it always is, but this year was a bit different. For starters, Mother Nature decided to treat us to a wonderful display of rain for the better part of the evening which meant the party as a whole was confined to the garage area. The other interesting development to this story is that it is the first fourth of July that I wasn't able to drink. I wouldn't recommend it. Don't get me wrong, the fourth and fireworks are all fun and games, but it certainly makes it much more entertaining when you are intoxicated.

Alas, my brain tumor doesn't mix well with alcohol, so none of that for me. All in all, this fourth of July party was by far the worst in the longstanding series and seems to point toward the event as an institution beginning to show itself threadbare. We're all getting older and more established in family life (and while that certainly doesn't keep us from enjoying the fourth, fireworks or a get together of our closest friends) we cannot run around like drunken idiots anymore. I can't anyway for the aforementioned health reasons, but I doubt any of us really would be. Lots of spouses, lots of kids.

I feel the saddest for my good friend Tyler though. It seems his whole world is changing around him and he has no say in the direction it's going. Most of his closest friends are all married now, most with children, and these obligations make spending time with him (or anyone else) outside of home life and work difficult. Of course, nothing in life is more constant than change, which is why it doesn't bother me anymore. Sure, when I was in my early to mid twenties I hated the idea of change. I loved my life the way it was and fought to keep all my friends around me and happy. But, time has it's way of doing what must be done. My buddy Bryan has moved to Omaha, NE to better his career. My friend Scotty has his wife and two kids now, and with as much as he works, they demand the majority of his time. My friend Patrick has his wife and three kids, although happily I do seem to stay in better contact with him these days than we used to (even if it is only through messenger or once a month flag football).

But Tyler...he is another story. Ever the staunch friend and ally, he has fought hard to remain in his town of choice and to try and keep up the rituals we've had before (like our once a week dinners and the fourth of July parties). But as Metallica wisely tells us, the hammer of justice crushes all. Eventuality always wins out. So in we usher our friend Change. Next year for example, my wife and I will be heading out to Topeka, KS to spend the fourth with her family. It's only fair, and I have no problem with that. But, some probably won't see it that way (and that's OK, they're entitled to think what they want).

I think one of the biggest things to learn from life is how everything is cyclical and everything changes to suit the different seasons of your life. Nothing lasts forever, and such is the way of things. You simply have to roll with the punches, adapt to the new adventures and challenges, and hold dear the memories of things used to be and look forward to what they will become anew in the future.