XIV Reunion Pt. 1

I set off across the Great State of Texas around 6:30 Tuesday morning, heading for my brothers for a much anticipated family reunion. Its about an 8 hour drive if everything goes smoothly…and it did. Michael likes updates as I make my journey to and from his home. It is so endearing and yet another example of how we are alike. Both a little overprotective in the most loving and healthy ways when it comes to family. Each of my updates would include a YouTube video. It started with Willie Nelson’s ‘On The Road Again’. When I passed thru La Grange I put up ZZ Tops ‘La Grange’ and so on. This was done in a massive group text to all family waiting to meet me and those that had already done so. This family is fun and are always looking for ways to have fun.

I arrived with little fan fare which made me feel even more at ease than I already did. I slid right into my place, feeling very much at home. Michelle, Ashley and Landon were there with big hugs. We were sitting on the back porch visiting when Michael pulled up. He walked around the corner and we embraced. We talk frequently but no words were needed in this moment. I was embracing my brother and my heart was full.

While we sat visiting Michelle was recounting memories of our father and his wife. They had been flooded out of their home and while Mike worked on repairing it, they lived with them. It was a true blessing in disguise as it would turn out to be some of the last few months of dad’s life. Michael got to spend real quality time with him. The whole family feels this way about those circumstances. Michelle mentioned that dad had claimed the bathroom in the detached garage as his own. Bathroom in the garage? I claimed my fathers bathroom as my own as well. I hate to be an inconvenience so this made me feel even more at ease. They would never think me an inconvenience, that’s my own thing. They are the most accommodating people and make everyone feel comfortable in their home.

The evening was spent on the back porch eating Po’Boy’s. laughing and just being in the families presence. Mason, Ashley’s fiance was with us as was Sarah’s boyfriend, Ricky. I wished my husband and daughter could have been with us. They both had to work so could not make the trip. I know they would have truly enjoyed themselves and I would have loved to have had them there.

The evening was getting late, OK, late for me, not them. I’d been up since about 3 AM and it was now close to 11 PM. My initial plan was to camp out with my 13 year old nephew, Landon. He has a large room with a couch. I asked my brother if he might happen to have a box fan I could use for air circulation and white noise…a short awkward moment of silence followed.

My nephew and I are alike…we both have particular sleeping requirements. Landon needs complete silence and likes it a bit warm, I need white noise and like it a bit cooler. LOL The family had already figured this out and had a contingency plan in place. My dear, dear niece, Ashley had already packed and was ready to give me her room…more like insisted. Like a military maneuver, they relocated me to Ashley’s room. So much love and consideration for their old uncle Rob. I slept soundly, in the secure knowledge that I was in a house full of family who truly loved and wanted me in their lives. I would discover the next day that Landon had kicked his sister out of his room and onto a living room couch for making to much noise. He made it clear, had it been me in the room, he would have just removed himself. LOL

I got up the next morning and found a loving note form Michelle next to the coffee maker letting me know where things were and to make myself at home. I already felt at home. I was not up long before Ashley came in and made herself a cup. I didn’t expect to see anyone for a couple of hours as I get up very early. It was an unexpected pleasure to be able to spend a little time with just her. A short time later Sarah came in, another pleasant surprise. Coffee with my nieces. The perfect start to a perfect day. Michael came thru next, on his way to work for a couple of hours. Then Michelle. Somehow during a lull between Michael and Michelle I managed to slip out to have breakfast at a little dinner I had found when I visited last fall. The Little Kitchen in Westwego is worth the ambiance of the locals alone…and its a really Hardy breakfast. Two eggs, over easy, hash-browns, toast, sausage, biscuits drowning in gravy and a great cup of coffee!

I had a busy day planned. I wanted to spend some time with family I had not yet met before the big get together on the 4th. It would be a bit chaotic with all the new people I would be meeting. First I would be taking Ashley and another niece I had not yet met, the lovely Jess, to lunch. It was such a treat! Jess is just one of those people you know everyone loves. She has a happy and energetic personality. I look forward to visiting with her every time I make the trip. I then drove to the opposite side of the city to spend a few hours with my sister Teresa (Jess’s Mother) and her husband, Jason. This was our first meeting and it went wonderfully. We talked about our father and brother and family in general. It was a very fulfilling experience and If I had not had a previously scheduled pool appointment with Landon I would have stayed longer. I love you, Teresa!

The plan for the evening meal was for the family to meet at a Chinese restaurant. Sarah arrived first, then Jess and informed us while we were in route that it was closed. The caravan headed off to our second option which my brother quickly nixed as we drove by it. Good call, Mike. We did eventually find a restaurant, with a big round family table, with a lazy-Susan in the center, which my brother took over. He had to much fun spinning peoples food to them. When we got home we all sat on the back patio, listening to music, visiting and laughing…there is always much laughter!

4th of July

I actually slept in the next morning. I didn’t get my lazy butt up until 5:30, LOL! Mike got up and asked if I would like some scrambled eggs. Awwee, my little brother making me breakfast…NOT! I cant remember exactly who made it, but it wasn’t Michael. After breakfast I went to my private bathroom, showered and shaved. I already had a routine. I would walk back to the house in just my shorts and dress in my room. On my way thru the house Michelle called me into the dining room where her and Mike had just been talking about me and wanted to share these thoughts. They had made note of how I moved about the house like dad had when he was there, very much at home, and how much they appreciated that. As I sat there listening I realized I was sitting at my sister n laws dinning room table in nothing but a pair of shorts. When I spoke I shared this observation and how I would never had done something like this as a quest in someones home…I didn’t feel like a guest, I felt like family. They felt the same. I also told them that the day before when I left Teresa’s house I had stated to send a text, “on my way home” but changed it to “on my way back to the house” as I didn’t want to seem presumptuous. It has become apparent, I was on my way home.

I have not shared this with Mike or Michelle. During that conversation I became very aware of my fathers presence, former and current, in their home. This is where he had spent some of his last, and in all probability, happiest moments in this world. I had heard numerous stories already about those months but it was all very ‘fresh’ in this moment. They were observing that I truly am ‘my fathers son’ and I felt it. Dad probably sat in the chair that I was sitting in, walked down that hallway and had known the same peace and love in this home that I was feeling now. This family is a reflection of dad. Dad was with me and would be at this reunion with us.

We started arranging things for the family get together. I had a seen a number of items show up the day before that now made more sense. I had assumed this was an annual 4th of July family get together that just happened to be where I would meet new family. My assumption was a bit in error. This was more about me than I had realized. I came out of the house and saw this.

A lemonade stand and everything lemon…and my brothers Miller Lite LOL!

And this banner…and this family…my forever family. Michael, Michelle, Landon, Ashley and Sarah…love you bunches!!!

…and then the rest of ‘my’ family began to arrive…