Every summer, beginning in 1956, our family would pile into my father-in-law's car and leave Brooklyn for Sound Beach, Long Island, NY. At our peak there were seven of us riding in his 1955 white with robin's egg blue trim, Chrysler Desoto. The car was a tank, but rode like a dream. For an hour and a half we'd look out the windows at the trees, and grass of the Northern State Parkway - so different from our city streets.

When we got to the six-room duplex summer bungalow we'd proceed to unload the car, put up a pot of coffee, and slice up the crumb cake that we had bought at the Crescent Street Bakery in Brooklyn. The crumbs were huge and each of us vied for the largest one on top.

This one particular time our son, Joseph, who was about four years old, and our daughter, Veronica, who was almost two were playing in the back yard. It was July 4th weekend and we had bought some fireworks and brought them out with us. There were mostly sparklers and firecrackers, and some colorful ones called fountains. They were safely tucked away in a box in the top of the outhouse. When late afternoon came around 'grampa' took the box down, placed it in the farthest side of the yard, and opened it. My husband, Phil, and his father proceeded to light the ends of two pieces of rope with which to light the firework's fuses. We were always very careful with the children around - - but there is always a first time for everything.

The men began lighting the sparklers for the children. They were so excited! They lit a few of the firecrackers but they scared the kids, so they stopped for a while. The men put the ropes down on the outdoor fireplace, and went indoors. I was outside with the children playing hide and go seek. Unbeknownst to me Joseph picked up the rope (that we all thought had gone out) and walked to the box of fireworks. By the time I saw what he was doing, he had dropped the rope into the box. I quickly grabbed hold of him and ran for the house with Veronica in my arms!

What happened next would have made a great little film for The Rascals! The firecrackers were the first to go - :Sizzle: Crack!-Crack!-Crack!Crack! over and over igniting each other, and then:::SHUSHHHHH:::went the colorful fountains! What a sight to behold! We all watched in awe from behind the kitchen screen doors as the fireworks continued to spark and explode and spray sparks into the box. It took about five minutes before it was all over. Then Joseph began to cry. I thought he was upset over what happened and tried my best to calm him down. All at once he stopped crying, looked at me and said, "More, Mommy - More!" Everyone burst out laughing! Joseph was scolded for touching the 'fire-rope' as were the men for their carelessness in leaving them where the children could reach them. Needless to say it was a memorable July 4th at the Santella summer household!