Yesterday was the Fourth of July.

If only a day, due to it falling right in the middle of the week on Wednesday, it was a real holiday.  No postal service, no banking, none of the usual work week distractions for twenty four beautiful hours.  Real holidays seem to be disappearing in our world today.  

It is hard to find a day that consumerism really takes off.  

In today’s I need it and I need it now world, fueled by smart phones and other tools of immediacy, we all want our desires met right away.  I wish I could say this isn’t me, I’m not guilty of the give it to me now mentality, but I am.  I check my Blackberry way too often, so I can tend to the need for immediacy of those who email or text me.  Heading to northern Michigan, where we always spend the Fourth of July, challenges the give it to me now gal that technology has created.  Just a year ago they finally got 3G. I can now tether my laptop and work from the house, instead of in the coffee shop in town.  However, part of the beauty of northern Michigan is slowing down and stepping back.   An iffy cell signal makes me slow down when I am here. 

Despite my desire to enjoy a real holiday this Fourth of July, this morning, with the help of my I pad and cell phone, I was hunting down a Walgreen’s pharmacy; on the Fourth of July, in northern Michigan. The night before my little guy was up most of the night.  He was having trouble breathing.  The easy answer should have been the inhaler in my purse.  The ugly truth was the inhaler was practically empty. 

Thank goodness the neighboring town has a Walgreen’s.  There may not be mail or banking on the Fourth of July, but Walgreen’s was open from 9 am -5 pm!   We went into town, enjoyed the simple, small town parade with friends and lunch from a favorite restaurant.  Then we drove to the next town over and picked up an inhaler, just before Walgreen’s closed at 5pm.

Perhaps real holidays aren’t defined by what is and isn’t open, but by how and with whom we spend the time. I wanted a day free from the distractions of technology, but needed a day with the conveniences of consumerism.  A pharmacy open on July 4, that could let my little guy breathe easy, made it a great holiday for my family and I. 

Isn’t that what makes a real holiday?  Isn't ime spent with friends and family in a meaningful way what makes a holiday ? Even when that time includes a drive to the pharmacy!