There are moments in our lives that leave an indelible mark.  The 4^th of July 1976, the Bicentennial Celebration, was one of those occasions.  Actually, the moment in the making began several days before.  I was young so I can only remember specific moments like how the panty hose fit over my bushy brown hair and how hot it was.

I remember the very small pieces of gold tissue paper that were painstakingly glued to the cut out poster board that would become my wings.  I wanted to help with the wings, but my aunt had a plan and I was not part of it.  When you are 6 you can’t always see the pattern of the would-be feathers.

I was to be entered in the best costume category of our 4^th of July Celebration.  I was a brown and gold Bald Eagle! It’s okay to laugh here. It’s funny.

I also remember my mom working on my sister G’s Little Miss 4^th of July dress.  It was red, white and blue and had short sleeves.  It was light weight and so pretty in my 6 year old eyes.  My outfit was brown and gold and UGLY.  Why did I have to be the American Bald Eagle and did it really have to be the town’s colors?  Why did I have to wear those panty hose on my head?  My hair was already short and BROWN!

The plan was for us to march in the annual 4^th of July Parade.  G was entered into the Little Miss 4^th of July portion and I was in the costume portion.  G didn’t want to walk because it was hot and she was 2.  It was my job to hold her hand and make sure she didn’t chase a rogue baton or a random piece of candy left along the road.

I don’t remember enjoying the parade.  At 6, I already knew that this outfit was not cool.  This was not going to help my status in first grade, I mean I already had a kid who bit me everyday!

The parade route culminated into the park where awards would be given for best float, best costume and of course, Little Miss 4^th of July.  I remember wanting to take my wings, my beak or at least my headdress off, but alas the judges might be watching and tallying votes.  I didn’t see any other costumes.  There was only one other homely looking girl vying for Little Miss 4^th of July.  I can say this because I was the most hideous specimen in the running for whatever was up for grabs.

Speaking of what was at stake, I remember a lot of hushed discussion going on with the judges and looks.  At 6, I was sure that they were discussing how sad they were for me being a bald eagle and all.

I couldn’t be more wrong.  They were discussing the fact that there were only 3 children in the running for all of the categories.  Their brilliant idea was to combine Little Cutie Patootie G, the homely girl and the bald eagle into one category and then vote.  Really?  Can anyone feel my pain right now? I mean what chance does a bald eagle have in the Little Miss Category?  I think the answer has something to do with a snowball!  Who in their right mind would vote for a kid dressed in a brown turtle neck, brown tights, brown panty hose over their head and a beak?

You know where this is going…

Yep G won Little Miss 4^th of July, the homely girl won 2^nd place and the Great American Bald Eagle won 3^rd place.  Surprise.

Now, can I take the panty hose off of my head?

Let me just say, that I am not bitter.  In fact this story has brought much laughter to those around me for decades.  Right here I would like to give a big shout out to my friends in book club with whom I shared this story in confidence.

Two weeks later, I received an unmarked box in the mail.  Inside was a brown and gold bald eagle.

Yep, it’s the moment that just keeps on giving.  Thanks mom.