MY SAY: JULY 4TH AT THE “KING”DOM
For forty seven years my family, the “King”dom owned a revolutionary home in Newtown, Connecticut. Our dear old house, built in 1752 by a schoolteacher named George Lake, had small windows with wobbly glass, original inner doors and hardware, low ceilings, a steep staircase, and a typical central chimney with three functioning fireplaces and a detached three-story barn that had been used for hay and horses. The family that owned it before us had upgraded bathrooms, plumbing and electricity but fortunately left the character and footprint intact. We restored the barn completely to create more living space for our children, kid-laws, and grandchildren.
We had wonderful decades there and July 4th was always special….a cookout, hot dogs, hamburgers, fries and friends and fireworks and patriotic songs and a reading of The Declaration of Independence and three loud cheers for America the Beautiful.
I sold the house last year with nostalgia and rue, but in fact, my husband and I always knew that we were more than owners. We were custodians of a bit of Connecticut history- only the fifth family to own it since George Lake built it with hand hewn tools.
Today I will celebrate with dear friends in a historic New Jersey town and we will watch the fireworks and sing patriotic songs. The venue has changed but the love for America is undiminished.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!! RSK
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