The Cyber-Sparklers
BOOM! BOOM! Goes the cannon Through hills blazing red, It echoes in memories From my distant bed As the sun in the east Slips up to reply, "Wake up, scattered family! It's the Fourth of July!"
But let this BOOM echo One year from today— July Fourth, 2026, When we'll gather to stay At the park in sweet Richfield Where our story began, All Job and Charles' descendants— The whole Hall family clan!
The Fourth of July Is the day we love best (Well, right next to Christmas) Above all the rest, Though we can't all gather Like we used to do At Grandpa and Grandma's— Those days we outgrew.
But Heidi's on Main Street Where Dad ran his store, The Diamond Store sparkles Where Hall Drug was before, And somewhere you're watching In red, white, and blue— The parade marching on Like it always came through.
The fairgrounds have claimed What the red hills once held, Those volunteer firemen (Still families who've dwelled Here for generations) Set the sky all ablaze With bigger, bright wonders Than those bygone days.
The little ones gather With phones held up high, Recording the magic That lights up the sky, While great-aunts and great-uncles Point out to their crew: "Your great-great-grandparents Once watched this here, too."
I can't pass the sparklers Like Dad used to do, But I'm sending cyber ones Straight out to you— Each memory a sparkle, Each story a flame, Each laugh that we're sharing Keeps bright the Hall name.
From Job blasting granite In old Maine's hard ground To Charles crossing rivers Where few could be found, To Leon and Flo Making traditions so fine— We're still engineering magic Down through time.
So here's to Bob's sparklers, To Carol's warm care, To Beverly's poem That we'll always share, To red hills eternal And families grown wide— To 275 years Of Hall family pride!
Come gather next summer When the cannon calls through— July Fourth, 2026, Richfield's waiting for you! For though distance divides us Our hearts will reply: "Long live this reunion— Our Fourth of July!"
In memory of Bob, Carol, and Beverly
In honor of Job, Charles, Leon, and Flo
In celebration of all who keep the sparklers glowing
Cyber-sparklers passed with love from Craig
Richfield, Utah - July 4th, 2024