4th of July weekend

Well, the 4th of July is past us. And so is Summerfest. These were always the mid-point of summer growing up. Actually just the 4th of July. Summerfest didn't show up until I was a little older.

Went to the Wauwatosa parade with friends, like we have for about the last 30 years. Always sit in the same place and enjoy the parade and the people around us.

This year a contingent of students from the Wisconsin Medical College were seated next to us with their families. Apparently one of the doctors from the college lives on the block and prepared this great breakfast for everyone. Of course, turning on the sad eyes, the young fellow next to me took pity and brought me a plate of food. Pretty good. I may not eat breakfast at home next year if I knew they'd be back. Oh well.

They had the usual units in the parade but everyone stood and clapped when the veterans marched by. That's what the holiday is really about. People who are willing to put their lives on the line so that we can keep our freedoms.

I mentioned to Terri that all this respect was great, but, unfortunately, someone was probably dying right then in Iraq. The next day the paper said that two soldiers died in Afghanistan. What a difficult memory for those parents.

The kids were probably the most fun to watch, collecting tootsie rolls and caramels that were being tossed by the parade marchers. I couldn't help but remember the story in the paper that morning about 7 year old Leo Nienas.

Five years ago the doctors told his parents to make him comfortable and prepare themselves for his "imminent" passing. He was diagnosed with leukodystrophy, a rare disease that attacks the protective shield around the never fibers in the brain. Leo's dad, Tony, was quoted in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, saying "Our approach has always been ... let's put a smile on his face, do the best we can today and tackle tomorrow when it comes."

That attitude, according to the paper, has kept Leo smiling. I thought about that and wondered how often I just tried to put a smile on my sons' faces. Probably I put frowns on them as they grew up. It was after they were gone that I began to realize how much fun it was to be a dad. Not sure if they'll concentrate on keeping their kids smiling. I hope so. I hope you do too.