The Canadian Chronicles: Two Years is Too Long!

Monday, June 7, 2021

Two Years is Too Long!

I told myself last year I would not complain if and when the roads were full and people were out living their lives again...even if I did have to sit in traffic and wait in a line here or there. I spent too much time sitting around my house and in my backyard last year to get upset about traffic or waiting. And yet, last week, I let the traffic get the best of me. I am taking this as a sign that the rusty cogs of our world are beginning to turn. This also means that the rusty cogs of my social life are beginning to turn and I gotta say... it feels so good!

Last week was a milestone in our family. It marked the first time since June of 2019 (Kelly and Chris' wedding) that all four of my kids were together with us. Two years is too long! Through the pandemic we have missed all of the holidays together and countless random family gatherings. We are all now proudly vaccinated and more than happy that we feel safe being together again. Kelly, Chris and August made the big trip from California to Houston for the week. They were coming just for a visit but when we realized Michael's birthday was the day after their arrival Kelly asked if we could save news of their arrival as a surprise for Michael.

When I realized that 3/4 of the kids would be in town I just had to let the oldest know and give her the option of joining us...if it could work out. It worked out! She made the trip too...and we didn't tell Michael about her visit either. Houston decided to treat us all to torrential rain for the entire weekend...we hardly noticed. Michael was endearingly surprised when he saw his sisters for the first time in two years. We pulled it off and it was priceless and a bit teary!

Reunited...and emotional

Two years is too long!

The next day was birthday celebration day. We had 2 birthday boys...Michael and Logan. We also had 14 people plus 3 children (not that they are not people but they did not count for the food order) for dinner. Definitely the most people I've had in my house at one time since before the pandemic began. It was amazing! We were all so happy to be together. Cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings and friends together for the first time in a long time. Brought to you by vaccinations, air travel and a love for each other that we have missed sharing in person for much too long.

Happy Birthday to our guys!
Thanks for giving us a perfect reason to get together!

As if flying across the country with a baby were not enough, I "made" my daughter and her little guy get in a car and drive 5 hours to Baton Rouge, which turned into 6 due to traveling with a baby and ...traffic. The baby stops were excpected, I have taken many car trips with babies and am very familiar with the drill, but the traffic almost made me lose my religion. The trip was WELL worth it in the end! We introduced my mother to her youngest great grandchild. It was love at first sight!

She has always loved babies...and they love her too!

My mother had not seen Kelly in over 2 years and in those years, she got married and had this sweet little boy. It was a much overdue reunion made even sweeter by one smiling baby boy. Augie was born one week after my Dad passed away and I could not help but think at the time that the circle of life just goes on and on. We enjoyed a couple of great afternoons with my Mom on her living room floor, baby talking with Augie and letting every one of his many smiles melt our hearts. Turns out, he is a good little traveler....takes after his parents. We both fought back tears when we left Mom's house the last time. Who knows when they will see each other again? Totally worth sitting in traffic.

Where I almost lost my religion and had to remind myself
not to complain...for over an hour!

After a week of family celebrations, visits, dinners, outings and late nights the house was back to just the two of us. I cooked more food and for more people than I have in a very long time! When the week was over TJ promised to do the cooking (with his credit card) for the next week. He did a great job and we agreed that we just lived two weeks that felt as close to life "before " than any since March 2020...and it felt so good!