Family Gatherings

I enjoy getting together with family. Oh there are times when it can be a little stressful and a little crazy but it is good. We had dinner tonight at the folks for all the fam in Cedar this weekend. That would be those of us that live in Cedar as well as Jim, Clo and the kids who are up. Jim still looks pretty well beat up and apparently his pain meds make him itch. If you don't know what I am referring to please reference yesterdays post - sometimes we are broken. He was up and moving some, sitting outside, talking and sharing stories. That was great to see. Naturally being Fast Sunday I included him in my fast and pray for his comfort and speedy recovery. I may never take on a mountain biking career as a result of this crash because I would hate to endure an injury of this nature. Who am I kidding? I live life on 'the edge and the edge is like a fickle hell cat... love her but never trust her for her heart is full of lye'. Sorry that is a Farside that I loved and quoted on my mission and it just rolled off the tongue. I was missing the first part and perhaps a quick explanation is in order. The picture is of an old man walking a young man around a soap factory. They are up on the catwalk looking down on huge vats of soap. The caption is of the old man speaking to the young man and it starts like this 'New guy huh. Well, up here you walk the edge...'. I've quoted the rest of it so won't retype it. I always quote it in my best old man voice. Not sure why I liked that one so much but I did. Maybe it was just quoting it in an old man voice.

So anyway, family gatherings. I remember as a kid going to Uncle Dale and Aunt Judy's house and watching a big load of chicken get cooked on the BBQ while we all jumped on the trampoline. I remember running around the neighborhood playing man hunt. I remember playing ping pong in the basement and being terrible at it. I remember the day when I was riding Brian's bike down the street with one pedal missing. I was trying to impress Kimberly Church who lived down the street. They were all out in the front yard sitting in the grass. I was skillfully managing the one pedal bike and while glancing over at Kimberly, trying to catch her eye suddenly found myself on the back window of a car that was parked on the side of the road. Hey, I got her attention for sure. They were laughing pretty good at that one 'he just ran into the back of that car'. Oh man, so embarrassing. I remember one day being in the Church's family room with a bunch of kids watching Close Encounters. It was an intense movie. I was Jack's age at the time - roughly 6 or 7. Anyway, with the intensity of the movie I found comfort by putting my hands down my pants and playing with little john. I looked down at one point and little john was out for a peak. Oh man, that was also quite embarrassing though I don't think anyone noticed and as dad would say, nobody would get upset over a little thing like that. As a parent of young boys I will just say that this seems to be a normal behavior. There is a little fella down there that just needs some attention when you are small and the hands somehow seem to find their way. I think there is some sort of homing beacon there.

Sorry, I digress. The point of this is family gatherings and I am just recalling some of my childhood memories in this reflection. I was grateful for time spent today with some wonderful nieces and nephews. I miss my kids a tremendous amount. I come home to an empty and quiet home. That can provide for some seldom seen relaxation but it is also somewhat lonely as well. I enjoyed a little horsing around today. A little wrastling and tickling and silliness as well as a few fun moments with little Tommy. Jayson and Jaykob were a riot and we did some big squeezes and some leg locks and some Jack Hammering (it's a signature move - don't mess with me). Kathryn wanted to experience a little arm lift action so we had some fun with that. Amy and I thought about a belly bop but then thought again. Anyhow, it was fun to play with the kids. I miss that with my own and need to stay loose and ready so I appreciate the nieces and nephews today.

Well, I have rambled here but that is okay. I will simply say this. I love my family. I love the time together. I am grateful to live in close proximity. It was not easy to live on the other side of the country and miss out on all the gatherings. I know that Natty, Jack and Andy love the get togethers as well. Anyhow, grateful for this time and look forward to future family gatherings and those times when everyone is here. Love you guys.