This 4th of July weekend, I remember the tradition mom and I had of going to see the fireworks in the STL area. Sometimes, she would take me and a friend to the Arch grounds, listen to the music and watch the colorful display. Even though it was crowded, we would always make our own little space onto the ST Louis arch steps and celebrate our Nation's Independence Day. Later in years, we would sit with the crowds, have picnics on blankets, chairs or on our cars in the parking lots of January Wabash Park while safely watching the professional beautiful display put on by the city of Ferguson. After we moved toward west county, we would sit among the crowd in the Chesterfield Mall parking lot and watch the fireworks in a distance. I still have video footage of that. Simple, peaceful and loving memories of me and my mom on the 4th of July throughout the years wouldn't be complete without good food. Baked beans, hot dogs, chicken, spaghetti and Schnucks potato salad was o
