Day 28

New Year’s Eve just isn’t complete without a few fireworks.

It was a family party in a sense.  Most of the ministerial staff and a few close friends were gathered there with their families.  To the best of my recollection, there must have been about 20 or so adults, plus the kids. 

We were celebrating at a family’s home on a cul-de-sac in an Austin development that sat high up on a hill.  The view was great and the weather was chilly, but a typical Texas winter night… the kind that calls for a light jacket. 

At some point in the evening, fireworks were deemed necessary.  So the host along with his buddy, climbed in the truck and drove off to collect.

To say they accomplished their mission would be more than an understatement.  They might as well have been towing the fireworks stand behind the truck upon their return!  I honestly don’t remember what amount they spent, but I want to say it was in the triple digits. And I don’t mean with a one in front.  They had every sort of firework one could imagine… from the tiniest firecracker to the largest-go-boom!!

Everyone circled up for the show.  It was awesome!  Until.

About five minutes in, a faint siren begin to grow louder.  And louder.  Then another siren joined it.  At some point, someone realized they were was coming up the hill.  Then it registered.

Fireworks.  Illegal.  City Limits.  We.  Are.  In.  Them.

RUN!!!!

I promise you.  I have never, before or since, simultaneously felt such opposing emotions.  Insane hilarity and tremendous fear.  Everyone was scrambling.  Into the house.  The neighbors back yard.  Behind trees.  Under cars.  A few of the guys tried to salvage what was left of the fireworks by throwing them in the back of the truck.  Several of us jumped into the empty pool in the backyard and crouched silently against the inner wall.

In the end, “we" promised to stop shooting them and the police and firefighters drove away with the remaining fireworks.  We all climbed out of the pool and pantries, from behind the trees and cars, and gathered together once again to bring in the new year. But to this day, I cannot see fireworks, or even hear them mentioned, without remembering the people and events of this night.

And I laugh.