That thing you like

I'm leaving on a jet plane. Don't know when I'll be back again… Well, actually, provided all goes to plan, I'll be back on Monday. In a few short hours, I will join my siblings, nieces and nephew on a jet headed north and west for my grandmother's 80th birthday.

Hi!
I can hardly wait to see you! I'm planning to meet you by the baggage area (inside). Carry your cell phone and I'll have mine so if there is a problem we can communicate.
Anything special you want to do while you're here?
Love you!
Mom

I'd say that I got the email because I am the responsible one, but truth be told, we probably all received messages. She's just so gosh-darned excited that we're coming to visit.

I, of course, have no expectations for the weekend other than playing some games, eating too much and probably crying at some point. I always cry when we all get together. I'm not sure if it's joy or stress.

The local bakery, a small town bakery with an amazing selection of breads and pastries, friendly staff and a sugary scent always tops the list. Closed on Sundays and Mondays, we go out of our way to visit when we first hit town. Though, I tend to forget the days that it's closed and end up plundering the goods bought by my aunts and uncles, the mocha cakes that my grandmother hides on top of the fridge, the smiley face cookies in the back of the freezer.

Ah, smiley face cookies, how I love thee.

Mom always brings the cookies when she comes to visit. They are her favorite. My sister hoards hers, hiding them from her husband and kids, eating them in secret and wondering where they all went My brother eats a steady pace. They last a little longer but not more than a week or so.

Mine last forever. I shove them in the freezer. (I don't eat cookies all that much.) I grab a frozen, sugary treat when I'm stressed or depressed and eat the goopy frosting eyes first. I still have one from an Easter visit. At that point, I had three left from last year. I like knowing that they are their, much like family.

I look forward to the craziness that will be our gathering – the overlapping conversations, juggling three at once on completely different topics, a cacophony scaring off those not related by blood. People disappearing to smoke, to play solitaire in solitude, to catch a nap in the fireplace room.

I look forward to games with Grandma, to Boggle and backgammon. If I'm lucky, we'll find enough people for a game of euchre.

I look forward to presents, pictures and the stories of the past 80 years. I wanted to get Grandma a t-shirt but my brother didn't approve of the slogan: I taught your boyfriend that thing you like. I could totally see 80 year old Grandma Mavis rocking the shirt, and if anyone gave her something inappropriate, it would be me. I swear in front of her. I treat her like a person not a Grandma and she treats me like the sun rises and sets with my words. That's how I feel, anyway.

I look forward to not doing anything. After a crazy busy/hugely relaxing weekend in New York and an intense week at work, I look forward to the time away and leaving the computer at home. (Though, I'll probably end up borrowing one.)

I still need a break and I'm taking one. I plan to keep taking them until I don't need them any more. Fortunately, I've got a lot of places to visit, people to visit and things to celebrate. I should be good for years.


Tag: Presents Family T-shirts