Where's the Fire (truck horns)?

Summer brings a lot of fun things - fishing, barbeques, swimming, fireworks, and parades. We had the chance to get to two parades this summer. I couldn't help but notice the contrast.

At the first parade, there was a lot of noise with the fire trucks blasting away, the bands playing loud songs and the various "floats" playing their music. The first parade came with boat loads of candy - tossed gently by the parade walkers. And finally some good old fashioned water spraying. A couple of the floats had the "heavy artillery" guns and shot at those who wanted to get wet. We had a great time!

The second parade was much, much more subdued. The fire trucks were silent! Silent! Have you EVER been to a parade where the firetrucks were silent? I hadn't until this last weekend. There were NO bands. Not a single one. There were some "floats" that had music, but they were pretty tame. And not a drop of water was sprayed.

Before the second parade, my son said, "but parades are boring!" That's not what he said after the first parade. Perhaps he was being prophetic, because the second parade was boring!

I can't help but think that we have become so OVER sensitive that we can't do anything fun because someone might be uncomfortable. Look, I have kids with disabilities and some things need accommodations, but quite frankly if the noise is too much, we either leave or don't go at all. I don't ask the rest of the world to quiet down just because one of my kids doesn't like noise. And water, oh my goodness! Are we all 'wicked witches' who will melt if we get wet? Seriously! If you don't want to get wet, MOVE!

If someone complains about the noise of the fire trucks, tell them to bring ear plugs. If someone complains about getting wet, tell them to bring an umbrella and let the rest of us celebrate!