Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Part Of A Family

Marriage changes your life in many ways. You have to share a bed with someone who steals your covers, you learn the best way to clean mi-nute beard particles from around the faucets, you also learn the best way to fold really large whitey-tidies into pockets so that when he is digging through his drawers they don't come unfolded, and last, but not least, you get to be a part of Memorial Day. Before marriage, Memorial Day just meant sidewalk sales and a visit to the cemetery - maybe. Now I'm a member of the Paul Clan and we celebrate life and the memory of it by gathering for 4 days at James' Folks' House. There were around 60 of us this year. We play games most people have never heard of ~ Pickle Ball, Woofle Ball, Throwing Elbows Basketball ... We challenge each other to chess, sudoku, & crosswords ... We kiss the babies, "catch" worms with the toddlers, and keep the teenagers cool with ice chests stocked with sodas and water... There is catching up on life, remembering the ones who won't join us any longer, and getting to know the ones who are joining us for the first time. There is the yearly Indy 500 Poole, Grampa's famous breakfasts, Phil winning the 10k for the last 4 years in a row ... and food, food, food!!! I am so blessed to be 'one of the family', so thankful that this was a priority to Mom and Dad all those years before I came along, & excited about all the changes this year will bring that will make next year even more special than this one.
I'll have to post pics seperately... Blogger isn't cooperating.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ahhh yes, Mem. Weekend.

Your eldest can't help enjoying the friendship of felicity when that event joins her in her thoughts, conversation or reality :)

Sad will be the day, if ever such day should arise, when I must miss one of those special, special weekends...

Anonymous said...

Deea,

How blessed you truly are! Our family is far away in distance and not very close relationally. The Sherman's have never had these kinds of traditions, but Peggy's family has. When we were with them for Christmas, it was such a rewarding experience for me as I watched my kids connect with generations. Thanks for reminding me. I think I will be the one to start a family tradition with the Sherman's.

Doug