And I think all of us are ready to return to our respective states and homes. It's been wonderful getting to visit and see everyone, don't get me wrong. It is times like these that I am reminded that it could be the last time to have visual/physical contact with anyone. None of us will live forever, and it is in these moments we can make special memories that will last a lifetime.
It hasn't all been perfect, I will admit. There have been some conflicts that have needed to be resolved (and were, to my knowledge), and I am sad that some realizations have been also realized. One being that when we went for our family photos yesterday that hubby had a lot of difficulty walking the perhaps a quarter mile on a trail to where the photos were to be taken with a 'forest' backdrop. He and I had a talk about it last night. He was in near tears, telling me that he doesn't want to be an embarrassment to me because he can't do some things. Not being able to walk (but he did it) well on this trail really troubled him. My son in law and a grandson in law both hung back and walked with him while I walked on with the girls. No, I wasn't being mean by walking with the girls, he had started out with me and then just kept dropping back. When the men dropped back to walk with him, I went on ahead. Kudos to them.
The family photos - I hope they will be perfect. It was so windy that our hair was flying every which way - but I guess that is also reality of life, right? Nothing is perfect. Everything doesn't always work out. But the women looked beautiful in their dresses and makeup - and the men looked 'dapper' in their coordinated shirts and all the little ones looked so cute all dressed up. If you know me, I am not in favor of having my photo taken - but I did endure it. We did several family shoots of the entire 'clan', and then hubby and I, and each of the families. We were also able to get some of my daughter and I - reminds me of when we were younger and the two of us had our photos taken together at JCPenney's. We both looked a lot different then - my daughter with her long flowing blonde hair (before ALL) and me with dark permed curly shoulder length hair. Where has the time gone?
I know most of us do not like photos taken, but I will suggest you do it - for your family. Go get photos taken of yourself with your spouse and give to your children and friends. As much as I dislike having my photo taken because I don't feel skinny and perfect.... which I'm not anyway, so why do I want to look like it? ... but it is a memory of who I am at that moment in time. Trust me, I feel fat and ugly and not dressed appropriately, nothing fits, hair flying every which way - but when I am gone and others find that photo - they won't look at what I'm wearing; they won't see my hair flying through the air as the wind blows through it. They will instead see ME, just as I am at this moment in time. Sometimes it is important to do it for that grandchild that you say you love so much. Leave them a legacy of love through the photos you leave behind. Do it today - even just have your spouse take a snapshot. The future generations will not know who you are if you don't get it in memory. Does that make sense?
As hubby and I are older (I did put much older, but decided to leave the 'much' off), I am more acutely aware that each year around family could be our last. Some of us who have 'lost' close ones at a young age - them, not necessarily us, but that as well - know how precious those times are when you can get together. I miss those times with my mama, my little brother, my oldest brother, my older sister.... with being away from them I have fewer photos than those who lived near them, but we have photo albums.... and I will say that there is a reason to print a photo and have it. Not just scan on the computer or a thumb drive. There is a reason that I still will go through my phone and print the photos at Walgreens. Some I put on the wall (which I definitely need to update!), but right now, most are in a drawer. Why do I print them out? Because if I lose my phone, I've lost those photos. Those I love will not have those either. Yes, I know that many will save to their computer; the last time I tried to save photos to the computer it crashed, so I haven't done that for awhile. So I print. I sometimes will get photos of the great-grandchildren via phone and I save them to my photos, and sometimes I will print out one or two. I figure their parents have the photos so I don't need to print them all like I would have in the past. Photos on phones are great - don't get me wrong. But I love to share the photos with those who want them.
Well, I'm starting to ramble and my thoughts are wandering so I need to get off here and start getting my things repacked and ready to go. I 'think' they want to be on the road by 8AM... but I would be surprised if the 'other household' will be up by then. Yesterday morning it was nearly 9AM before they got up. Late nights for them. Hubby went to bed at 10PM last night; I went to bed at 11PM and the baby was still crying and could not be consoled. The siblings were meeting to talk into the wee hours of the morning. At least I think it as just the siblings as the others need rest for the trip home.
And yes, I'm glad I'm heading home today and will have yet one more day off work. I need to jump online tomorrow to approve the timecards but it won't take long, unless I have to chase down people to get their time approved by them first. If I can't get them to approve it first, I'll approve anyway. I'm not going to be checking the computer frequently. Get back into our own routine.
We did make it to Hobby Lobby yesterday and I got the right shade of blue I needed for the lap blanket, and a lot of other little things. My big brother turns 80 this year, my youngest sister turns 70. I have been picking up things here and there to send to them for their birthdays. I would love to be there to celebrate with them, but I can't do for one and refuse to not do for the other. I just know my little sister probably will not have a party - again. For some reason her family just doesn't make a big deal of her birthday, but they always make sure theirs is celebrated. It really hurts her.... I am so fortunate my children have celebrated my milestones in life. At least I am confident I won't have any for another 4 years when I turn 80. Wow - how is that possible? The reality of old age is scary, ya know?
And with that - I'm off here to get dressed and start repacking my bag to take home. I'm returning with more than I came with since I went to Hobby Lobby. LOL
Have a blessed day and remember to get photos of those you love, and let them take of you. You never know when there won't be a chance for that one photo that will be cherished.
Blessings!
