July 3, 2026
Hi Reader
The Fourth of July. I have very fond memories of the 4th. When I was growing up, we would take the long six-hour drive to Glenwood, Iowa, to celebrate with my grandparents. My grandfather's birthday was on the 4th. The festivities included golf, with a trophy for the winner; my grandmother's homemade ice cream, which my sister, cousins, and I hand-cranked; and backyard fireworks. What a fun time. To this day, Gary and Mark remain two of my closest cousins — like brothers.
I also distinctly remember America's 200th birthday celebration — crazy that it's been 50 years — I was 13. I have the bicentennial coin minted for the occasion, tucked away safely all these years.
Right now, while you're reading this, the World Cup is underway across the United States, Mexico, and Canada — fans from dozens of countries have packed their bags and crossed oceans to watch soccer in American cities. On the Fourth of July itself, there's a match in Houston. Think about that: on the very day we celebrate being our own nation, the rest of the world is choosing to come here, to celebrate with us, in our stadiums, on our streets.
It's easy to take a country for granted when you've never known anything else. I didn't think about it much as a 13-year-old clutching a bicentennial coin — I just thought it was a cool souvenir. But watching visitors from around the globe show up this summer, cameras out, jerseys on, genuinely thrilled to be here, has a way of resetting your perspective. We really are lucky. We really are blessed.
So while we don't make that long trek to Iowa anymore, I'll still make homemade ice cream — just in my Cuisinart now — and celebrate with good friends. The trophy and the golf will wait for later this summer, with my cousins, to honor my dad. But the gratitude won't wait — the Fourth of July is just another reminder of how lucky we are to call this country home.
Happy Fourth of July!
Warmly,
Wendy
Founder OverSixtyInsights
Quote of the Week
"Family: like branches on a tree, we grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one." — Erma Bombeck
From the Blog
Speaking of what we're grateful for and what we want to protect — if it's been a while since you've looked at your estate documents, especially if you've relocated recently like Mike and I did, this week's post walks through exactly what to check and update. It's a quieter kind of independence, but just as important: knowing your affairs are in order and your wishes are protected.
One Small Favor
If this newsletter brought back a memory of your own — a grandparent, a hometown tradition, a coin tucked away in a drawer — would you forward it to a friend who might enjoy it too? That's how this little community keeps growing, one story at a time. subscribe here
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