Catching up

Last week, I went home to see my family.  The last time I was there was in August, to celebrate Mom and Dad's golden anniversary.  This week, I went home just because. 

I promised myself that I would take some time to rest, that I wouldn't be too busy, that I couldn't see everyone.  I mostly kept that promise but it was hard.  I don't like being that close to people that I love and not being able to see them all or spend hours on the phone with them.  I didn't HAVE hours.  I had moments.  So to all my friends who are upset that I didn't connect with you, I am sorry.  I hope you can forgive me and I hope you can understand.  I'm blessed that there are so many of you...I'm grateful.  I love you but I just can't make it happen every time. And why am I writing that you may ask?  Because someone didn't understand and now I feel really guilty about it all.  So again, I'm sorry.

Here are some of the moments.

Dinner with Mom and Dad here.  After we got through the usual routine of who could afford to pay for what, I really enjoyed this private time with them.  It was ironic that my Auntie Bev and I decided to fly in on the same day...and it was unfortunate that snow delayed her flight be many many hours.  Consequently, she missed dinner, but I'm sure we ate enough to sort of make up for that.

I had lunch with Shelley, which was as always a delight.  We have much in common and we took advantage of the time to commiserate about our current situations.  And she told me about Italy.  I want to go to Italy.  Just not when a volcano feels the need to express its displeasure.

With the help of Boston Pizza, we hosted a party for all the kidlets and their assorted hanger-ons.  By that, I mean their parents and grandparents.  Can I just say how selfish my sister is for wanting those kids all to herself all the time??  Yes, in fact I can.  It's MY blog.  And also, that my newest great-niece is a gorgeous little thing.  And that my youngest niece is just growing up to be a lovely teenager, and that my  eldest niece is a really great mom, and seems to have found herself a nice man to share it with, and that my nephew is hilarious, and that it was a delight to see a little girl jump up and say 'my daddy is here, my daddy is here, my daddy is HERE!'?  Indulge me while I also mention that I love my aunt for saving my arm from coffee burn, and to express my thankfulness that said coffee landed on me and not on the bare shoulders of a 3 year old.  I don't think that the restaurant handled the evening very well, but I don't care.  From my perspective, it was a great evening full of crazy sunglasses and lots of teasing and best of all, we didn't have to cook or clean.  So thank you, kind serving people.

I had coffee with some touchstone-type of people, and we found a new little spot called the Three Bananas Cafe.  You should go, and your latte could look like this too.  If it looks that good, think of how wonderful it would taste (it was sooooo smooooooth).  Add in a good healthy dash of laughing and it was a great way to spend an hour.

My sister-in-law and I met for sushi.  I love sushi.  I can eat a lot of it.  She weighs half of what I do, and she can eat more.  She can eat a lot more.  I can't figure out how.   I'm jealous.  I'm also very grateful for the quiet afternoon we had for there were some real heart-to-heart moments coupled with some crazy laughter.  It could not have been more perfect, and I will always treasure it.

Then there was dinner with my parents, one of my best friends, and my very funny aunt.  Said friend shared the hotel room with me so that she could work on her novel.  I marvel at her mind, for the world she is crafting could never come out of my black and white way of looking at things.  Don't worry, I'll brag about her book when it is published, so you can find it at a bookstore near you.  She needed to ask my prairie parents about some much-needed detail, and much mirth ensued.

Then there was just one more gathering before we left the city.  Our 'ladies-who-brunch' club gathered and laughed and caught up, and told stories.  I loved that there were a few generations there, of people that I have known through my church for decades.   That was just one of the absolute best times, and I hope we make it a tradition. It was a GREAT idea!

It's always great to visit that home, and it's just as wonderful to come back to this home.  Life is good!