For many people, Independence Day means taking the day to get together with friends and family to do any number of activities, including outdoor barbecues, days at the beach, and of course, going to a local fireworks display to end the day. It's a day of celebration, drunken revelry, and sharing good times with others.

However, there are many people who don't or can't partake in the festivities. Many people have to head to work like they would any given day. Sometimes these working people are able to get out of work in time to join others for the fireworks (generally the main, defining event of the holiday), but in the end they usually can't. If they're lucky, their place of work won't be busy and they can possibly catch a glimpse of the fireworks if they look out the window. An example of this would be a few years ago when I worked at the McDonald's in Lake Placid. I ended up having to work a late or closing shift on the Fourth of July, and by the time the fireworks started going off, the building was empty, apart from those of us who were working. Fortunately for us, the drive-thru windows faced in the direction of the lake, where the fireworks were being held. We grouped around the windows, watching the fireworks for a few minutes before continuing our work, or taking the order of the random person who showed up. While this has not been my reality for a few years, it will definitely be the reality of many people this year.

Of course, there are those who simply don't have anyone to celebrate with, so they don't participate. In the past, I've typically fallen into the former category, but this year I will be in the latter category. Even though I am staying with someone, we often make separate plans for events, and this is no exception. I'm sure that while I'm home by myself, I will hear the sounds of celebration from distant parades and nearby fireworks, but they won't make any difference to how I will spend my day. I will likely read my friends' Facebook posts about the parties, barbecues, and other fun activities that they have planned as I sit alone indoors, marathoning my current favorite show, Impractical Jokers. The only major change that is likely to occur is that I'll turn on the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks show and pretend to feel pride in my country.

Am I particularly upset about this? Not really. If I was upset about spending another holiday alone, I would have done something about it by now. If I particularly minded being alone, I would have figured out another way to get out and celebrate the day with others. So here's to the Fourth of July.