Every Fourth of July, my family has made the 6 hour drive from Knoxville to a small town north of Memphis called Brighton. Brighton is the home to my family's farm. When I was little, Cotton was King. Then the fields moved to Soy Beans, and today they just lay fallow. But over the years 5 generations of Huffmans have called "The Hill" home.
I think the reason why I always loved the 4th was it was usually either the beginning or the end to my summer stint in Brighton staying with my Aunt Molly. Growing up an only child I relished in the opportunity to play with my cousins, and cousins a plenty...I want to say at last count I have more than 70? cousins on this side of the family alone? I loved being able to run around without any inhibitions. Climbing trees. Making Forts. Getting Dirty. Learning to Cook, Decorate Cakes, Fry, Steam, Boil, Broil, and Can. It was like an ADD kids dream come true. I could bounce from one activity to the next, and to another. I will always cherish the memories of those summers.
Fourth of July was our Family "Reunion" of sorts. A time for everyone to come together, catch up, eat some Bar-be-que, and sample like 10 different variations of Potato Salad or Deviled Eggs. Some years there were pranks, or waterballon fights. One year my dad broke his foot jumping rope? The next year he landed himself with knee surgery after a very competitive game of Volleyball. But Every year there are new faces, some don't come back, others stay forever. Every year there are Fireworks. Every year there is fun. And every year I thank God that I have a Family like I do...
Tomorrow morning Zach and I are hitting the Road to Brighton, but instead of traveling the interstate the whole way there, we are committed to riding Highway 51 from La Place, LA all the way to Brighton. It'll probably take us about 3 hours longer, but I'm game! I can't wait to explore!
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