I'm actually in the office today, in a skirt even. See my super awesome heels that I am rocking? I kind of missed them and to my great surprise wearing heels again has been a pretty easy transition. Like a duck to water people. I actually feel like a 'real' employee for once. It's kind of strange.
I hate surprises. Well not really I LOVE surprises when I don't know they are coming which seems counter-intuitive. You know when someone tells you "I have a surprise for you" and then you have to wait to find out what it is? Yeah, that drives me NUTS. What I do like is surprising other people. I made a very valiant attempt at that this weekend. The big family reunion was scheduled for this past weekend and up until a week ago I didn't think I could make it. Because I am made of win and awesome I decided I would book a ticket because I can. That and I only have one grandparent left and I would like to see him as often as I can.
Things got off to a rocky start but I got into town only two hours later than originally anticipated. (Thank you again to the wonderful Delta employee who switched my flights to avoid another layover in Cincinnati and instead sent me directly past Go.) I managed to spill the beans to my sister while sitting in the Atlanta airport because I needed a ride. Eventually I had to call my mom as well to get a ride so her surprise was spoiled too, kind of. She was still surprised but not how I had planned it.
The reunion went well and I kicked some major butt at our games, minus that whole Apple stacking competition. It was a draw anyway. However, the elephant game and the noodle game I was the champion. Who knew I was so awesome at swinging nylons around my head? Although I did have a 6" height advantage on my cousin so perhaps it wasn't a very fair fight. Or it was just the mojitos that helped. I really believe everyone should have fresh mint growing out the back door to collect. We even put them in the 'Grandma Pitcher'. This was a pitcher we used to bring Grandma flowers while she was in the hospital. Cheaper and sturdier than a vase! Although I am now mojito free and I still think it is a good idea to share these pictures with the universe. But that's just the kind of awesome I am. Please feel free to have a laugh at my expense.
After the festivities I was informed by Fuss-bucket and Nervous-Nilly (the terminally cranky and overbearing aunts) that we were to go through some of Grandma's things and pick what we wanted. Of course there was a plethora of costume jewelry and various other knick-knacks. It just felt so wrong divvying her up but this was my chance to have something. Whatever was left was to be set out for a rummage sale. I'm not sure which though churned my stomach more, choosing what small trinket I would have to remember her by or that some stranger would be pawing her things with no regard to the incredible woman who owned them. Despite the tears we had some good laughs. The best part was when the breeze blew just the right way, we all swore we could smell her. It was a nice little reminder while we reminisced and handled her belongings like they were precious diamonds.
I am now the proud owner a few of her handkerchiefs and a pendant necklace that is actually a liberty dime. She received that from a cousin at her retirement party. The last stop of the day was to go and visit her. It was a sucker punch to the gut to see her grave. There is no marker yet and no pretty grass to sugar coat reality. How is it that talking to the ground is so cathartic? The single pink carnation I left sure did look out of place but it was kind of poetic. Something so beautiful in the midst of all the upturned ground.
It was a beautiful weekend filled with lots of laughs and great memories. I'm always glad to come to visit for a bit but I miss JB and I'm excited to be home again.
No comments:
Post a Comment