XIII Time Stand Still

Well, campers, Its been almost two years to the day since I got the life altering email from Ancertry.com. I’ve pretty much caught us up on the basic events that transpired over these last couple of years. It all seems so “normal’ now. I can’t hardly remember what it was like before…although I do. That first year, on my own with this, was simply adjusting to a new reality. It was easy to daydream as I was sure those day dreams would never manifest. We are in total control of daydreams, that’s why they are so enticing. Then Michael called. In a heartbeat the daydream evaporated and realness took over.

I laugh now about those first few months of Michael and I talking on the phone. It was awkward, in a healthy way, as we got to know each other. One thing that still sticks out is how we both shared our personnel short comings early on. We bonded over them. It was like although we were both putting our “best foot forward” we were also reminding each other that we are as fallible as any other human being, loving and lovable because of it. We kept it real.

Now talking is as easy as breathing. There is rarely a reason for our phone chats, which are frequent. We talk about this, that and nothing. Work , family, traffic, the weather…old men rapping and ranting..LOL!

Funcle: (noun) 1. dad like, only way cooler. 2. Uncle Rob See also: handsome, Exceptional

I continue to make contact with cousins, nieces and nephews. Uncle Ted and aunt Debbie’s daughter’s, Audrey. A fine young woman. Still haven’t made contact with her sister Julie. I got to talk to my niece, Jess. Looking forward to meeting her and her husband, Scott. I look forward to meeting my nephew, Kent, his wife Ashley and my grand nieces. Looking forward to meeting my deceased brother Pete’s widow, Jennifer and their children, my niece, Grace and nephew, Peter jr III. Looking forward to being in the physical presence of my sister, Teresa and meeting her husband, Jason. Oh look, my old friend anxiety just showed up…just kidding, I’m very excited about all I have to “look froward to”.

In other news…Mason proposed to Ashley the day after Christmas. The family helped Mason make it a very memorable event. I am so happy for them! Sarah made her relationship “official”. Her and Ricky have known each other for some time. I look forward to meeting him. (How else would I get a set of his fingerprints to complete my background check) 😉 Landon and I message back and forth. He’s the coolest 13 year old I know. He’s going to “try” and teach me how to play video games next time I’m there. From talking with his dad, I’m probably going to take a pretty good thrashing.

Speaking of the next time I am there, it will be in the very near future. Around my birthday my brother floated the idea of a little 4th of July reunion at his home…little? are you kidding me. This will be more family than I have ever had in one place at one time. Just about everyone I have mentioned in this tale will be there with the exception of my cousins. I’m not near as nervous as I had been prior to my first visit. I’ll be staying at my brother and sister n law’s this time. They are my safe place, a soft and comforting place for my heart to rest. Landon is letting me camp out in his room although, after a night of my snoring, I may be lodging in the garage.

I’ve gotten to know Michelle’s family thru her, social media and Michael. There may be a chance that I get to meet them while I am there this time. A very close family with really big hearts. Her mom is a force to be reckoned with. She had to have an inpatient medical procedure recently. She does not like to be away from home. When the doctor told her how long she would need to stay in the hospital, only a few days, she shook her head and said that was not except-able and began to negotiate a shorten stay. I don’t think her doctor quite knew what to makes of this. The “negotiations” went on for awhile over a couple of visits. I am happy to report that the procedure is complete and she only tried to escape once…not really but we all expected her to. LOL What a spirit, cant wait to meet her.

Tempus fugit; Time is fleeting

Today’s musical offering has become an anthem of sorts for my current state of heart & mind. I am now cherishing every moment of this beautiful life I am being afforded. Granted, at times in my life I have gotten lost in the past and have escaped into daydreams of the future because the present seemed to unbearable. Today I am living a new truth, or possibly an old truth I had simply forgotten but now remember.

When this current chapter of my life began to manifest a couple of years ago I could have never imagined the profound shift in my perspective it would elicit. I realize that although many of my best years and memories are in fact “behind” me, what would become some of my best years and memories are also happening right now and will continue too into the future. I will be looking back often as I tell this story but I am keenly aware of and appreciative of the life that is happening all around me now. I’m reconnecting with old friends and family even as I connect with new family and friends. I only wish I could slow the moment of ‘now’ down just a bit. It all seems to be moving by so quickly.

“Time stand still
I’m not looking back
But I want to look around me now
Time stand still
See more of the people
And the places that surround me now”