The mention I made about family being too important to lose in the daily grind was even more evident yesterday, as I made that trek to the graduation/family reunion I found out about at the last minute. More and more, it seems that every time I go back to my hometown area, it's worth the price of gas.
Some random musings about Sunday's gathering:
* Susan, the guest of honor, made the equivilent of three guest appearances at the outdoor party today. As the focus of the party, there wasn't much chance for people to congratulate her on her high school graduation.
This only served to remind me of myself at a younger age during family birthday parties for me. This bothers me more as time passes, but I do harbor guilt that twelve people would come by to see me on those days, and I'd wind up hanging around the two older cousins exclusively.
These two were closest to my age, and we shared many things in common. However, I didn't give much credit to the other people there, namely my own parents. I understand maturity plays a part in it. But as well as I say I was raised, not acknowledging everyone more than once probably gave them an empty feeling inside.
I felt empty for Susan, but I couldn't play the lecturer. I understood it all too well from experience.
* Any worries about my cousin Sharon being upset at me over backing out on that Lansing trip two months ago were unfounded; even that honored guest understood my concerns about the car at that time. I simply worry about it breaking down on the freeway in a rural area with no cellphone to contact a wrecker. Fortunately, nobody hates me for it.
* Aunt Pat was actually fun to be around. I normally only see her at family funerals, and she's an emotional type. No emotion was seen this time. She was all lovey-dovey as usual, but she lives on her own in her 80s, and is rather lonely. This time, I do plan to follow through on seeing her before the fall. She's the matriarch of my mother's side now, and I'd like to show her some old photos & get some good family stories before we lose her.
To her credit, she's aged gracefully & still gets around well without the use of an aid.
* Sharon counsels my ex-girlfriend's two boys, who I used to worry about because Tami wasn't the best mother-teacher. Richie seems to have dropped off the earth. But Sharon had nothing but praise for Johnny, who I worked extra hard with to get good grades in school. Johnny is a bright young boy who always was polite & quiet to others. He had nothing but straight D's before I knew him. I taught him the importance of an education, and found out today he is in the local ROTC; a great honor.
I passed a message on to congratulate him. Part of me wishes I could personally celebrate his success, in spite of his mother.
* I can't play basketball anymore. When you can't block shots from a 13-year old who is a foot smaller, you thank God for bowling & mini-putt!
* Lauren, the newest addition to the family, is another well-behaved gem of my cousin Raymond's. This was my first time seeing her, and I was actually a bit jealous. She looked so peaceful, snuggled in her blanket, oblivious to the conversations & actions around her. I remember enjoying those quiet times growing up, and lament the absence of those times now. With my stress level, I'd love to be oblivious for just one day.
Family bonding is so important. If ever I become preachy in this blog, you've got the reason why.
