For the past three years these next few July days have been hard for me.

Everything starts Wednesday (today) and ends Sunday. I wish I was able to go, like I did for so, so many years, but I can't. :-(

I'm trying to keep my mind off it and I'm avoiding all possible news stories, but there's always some well-meaning friend who forgets that I can no longer go and they ask me my plans.  I don't want to be a jerk, so I just say "I don't go anymore, I wish I could, but I can't". I try to keep it short, succinct and friendly, it's hard though.