July: A Month of Celebrations

By Rana DiOrio, Founder of Little Pickle Press

In my family, July was first and foremost a month of birthday celebrations. My amazing brother, Damon, was born on July 3rd. My remarkable Dad, Ron, was born on July 10th. And my beloved maternal grandfather, Babbo, was born on July 17th. So, for three consecutive weeks to the day, we celebrated the important men in my life.

For this reason, the 4th of July has always had a double-meaning for me. As a family, we celebrated our country’s fight for freedom and independence and the anniversary of my brother’s birth. My favorite July memories involve having all of these celebrations together as a family at our home on Martha’s Vineyard. We would make a big fuss over Damon’s birthday on the 3rd, which involved a big meal of whatever he wanted (not shellfish, however, as he is deathly allergic) and usually a triple-decker strawberry shortcake that my mom would make with fresh island strawberries. On the 4th we would head to Edgartown hours before what we affectionately referred to as the “eye blink” parade–that is, you had to refrain from blinking or else you’d miss the whole thing. In the evening, we’d attempt to watch the fireworks that originated on Chappaquiddick and displayed over Edgartown Harbor from the roof of a garage on North Water Street. The challenge some years was competing with the mystic layer that would literally steal the show.

On Dad’s birthday, we’d go scavenger hunting along State Beach in our old, red Chevy pickup before having another big meal of whatever he wanted (not chicken, however, because his college days as a banquet waiter forever turned him off of eating birds) and a homemade chocolate cake (that he didn’t eat, but the rest of us did). On Babbo’s birthday, he would start the day by taking Damon and Dad out to breakfast to commemorate the specialness of sharing a birthday celebration each week. Then, we’d have a big meal of whatever he desired (Babbo loved everything) and a pineapple upside-down cake for dessert, his favorite, which I started making for him as soon as I was old enough to bake. Do you notice a pattern here!?


Our birthday celebrations have evolved with the passage of time, but we still try to get together as a family in July and often on Martha’s Vineyard. Last year was a milestone birthday for my Dad, and we descended upon the island and hosted a clambake with his children, grandchildren, and many of his dear friends.


For the past few 4th of Julys my girls have been part of the 4th of July parade, which is now quite substantial and impressive. They ride in an environmentally-friendly Oak Bluffs pedi-cab with their Grandfather who, until just recently, was an elected official in the town, and they joyfully throw candy to the crowds.


This July, my children and I will be with my Dad and then my brother to celebrate their birthdays. We will also celebrate this great nation that embraces diversity and forges new frontiers, including those in space. To me, all of these celebrations are related. My brother, Dad, and Babbo represent all that is good about our country. Their mettle, resourcefulness, compassion, work ethic, and love reflect attributes of our founding fathers and their ambition, respect, courage, determination, and curiosity reflect characteristics inherent in the brave and brilliant men and women who expanded our horizons into space. I am so proud of each of them and of our country.