Abigail M. Schilling

1990 We were in charge of the church float in the Winnetka Independence Day Parade. I remember the trailer being outside of our house before the parade and decorating it. My mom, the artist, had crafted a circus float and we wrapped crepe paper forever until it was perfect. I wore a lion costume. It was very hot, being July in Chicago and all, and I can't believe I wore a mane and everything for the hour-long parade. My brother was an indian, complete with bow and arrow, and was in the circus cage with me. It didn't make sense but I'm sure everyone had a good laugh.

1997 I cried and cried quietly in celebration of my first Fourth away from home; we were in the woods of Northern Wisconsin far from civilization but close enough to hear the fireworks. I had been hiking for three days with people I had just met and I was covered in mosquito bites (we counted: I had 47) and I just kept imagining my family celebrating without me. We celebrated the holiday when we got back to camp the next day and I cried again. In all the summers spent at camp, I only got homesick on the Fourth of July.

2000 Our first party that I planned and executed although I'm sure my mom would argue that she actually executed it and she would also probably be right. But I had friends finally--and a lot of them at that--and I wanted them to celebrate with my family because I couldn't imagine spending the holiday without my family and I couldn't imagine spending the day without my friends. And my mom told everyone about how to fold a flag properly and all the words to the Bruce Springsteen song and I loved my family so much I could burst. We did the party again in 01, 02, and 03. And then I moved.

2006 My third holiday in California and my first as an official resident. I feel bad: I didn't eat a hamburger today or sing the Springsteen song or even see a flag. But I know we celebrated because yesterday I planned and executed my bazillioneth party and I dragged all my friends to the park to eat dinner and watch the fireworks. I wasn't homesick this time around and it's the first time I've spent the holiday away from my family and not been homesick. I guess that means I'm really home now.