Small town America

Life moves fast and it’s easy to get lost in the everyday hustle and bustle. We often forget to make time to enjoy life for what it is.

While covering various Fourth of July events throughout the community, I was reminded of what makes this great country special.

We have the freedom to celebrate however, with whomever and wherever we choose. If we choose to celebrate at all. There are many differences throughout our great country including religion, race, economic level and political viewpoints. Those differences seemed null as I watched Grimes County celebrate America.

Each town within the county celebrated in their own way sharing a common theme, free hot dogs! Seriously, although the hot dogs w ere great at every event I attended, community was the common theme I witnessed and enjoyed.

I watched my daughters join many others riding bikes, floats, atv’s, skates etc., as Navasota honored America with a parade. Everyone was all smiles sporting the colors of freedom. Sno cones, hot dogs, lemonade and a cool dip in the pool were a welcome end to an awesome parade.

Roans Prairie hosted a bingo and ice cream social. The community sat side by side hoping Shiro VFD Chief Ed Sharron called the numbers they needed to complete their cards in an old fashion game of bingo.

The city of Bedias celebrated with fireworks, free watermelon and a watermelon seed spitting competition. Children enjoyed playing on the playground and I got a kick out of learning about the Bedias Alligators, the mascot of the school that Bedias once had.

In “Bulldog Country” Iola children had an intense game of football going on. Free sparklers and glow sticks were handed out to the children, and there was even a gun raffle benefit-ting the Iola VFD. It’s hard to get much more American than that.

The celebration of events concluded with a firework display that many large metropolitan cities would be envious of.

When I finally laid down after the day, I felt proud. Proud to be an American. Proud to be a Grimes County resident and proud to have a community who cares unconditionally.

Matthew Ybarra is a man with many irons in the fire, with a tremendous love for God, family, community, sports and music.