A Full Weekend

The last big event is history. Saturday we enjoyed both a baby shower for Kendra and a wonderful coming together of my siblings and their children and children's children. It was a great time at both events. The shower was attended forty seven people. That was the largest shower I have hostessed. Kendra had been concerned early in the game that noone would come for her shower. I had to chuckle about that because if any one of our children is confident, it is she, yet, even the most confident among us has moments of insecurity. Our family members and friends came through with more love and honor than any of us deserve. We all were humbled by the attendance and the wonderful gifts Kendra and Craig received. Craig's father drove ten hours to be with us. It was special for us to have him there. There were a few tears shed when our remembrances went to Craig's mother but it was obvious to me that he was happy to be with us. He admitted that living on the Missouri/Arkansas border where they built their retirement home has now left him "isolated". He likes to be alone and enjoys less people around but now that his partner is gone, he is feeling more aloneness than is good for him. I hope that he makes a move to be closer to Kendra and Craig. Time will tell.

My family members came in droves on Saturday to attend the family reunion. The men were supposed to bring the kids to the dairy on Saturday while we were at the shower but somehow they got involved in watching football games. When the women returned home from the shower, they found some very unhappy children. Soon most of the women had their noses out of joint. Our good plan to entertain the kids was not fulfilled. It wasn't long and most were in their vehicles headed for the dairy. My only regret is that we got there too late for the kids to have the time it takes to really enjoy the dairy. We did get in all the elements but it was a rush job which did not help my state of calm.

After the dairy, we went to my brother and sister in law where supper was served. After dark, the fire got started and soon we were all on wagons behind my brother's big John Deere going over the roads and through fields and woods. The moon was a bright orange when we headed out the lane and onto the road. My husband drove behind us with the car flashers blinking to protect this load of treasure. Once off the road we enjoyed aromas of farming. As we went over certain weeds, a particularly fresh fragrance filled the air. There was much laughter and good fun. Noone fell off and no big injuries occured. I even saw some big boys hugging their moms or their aunts. It was a precious time.

One of my nieces, who is the mom of three children, said to me, "Auntie, my kids will remember this day for the rest of their lives." She is right. It was a highlight for everyone and when second generation cousins can play with and learn each other's names, it is a good thing.

I added a couple of pictures of the golden sunset last week. I'm not sure about where you live but in this area it was the talk of the town. Literally. Everyone was asking another, "Did you see the sunset last night?" It was particularly beautiful. I didn't think I had captured much when I took the pictures but now as I look at them, I can hardly believe the colors are true but digital pictures don't lie. It was truly a beautiful painting that God gave us for a few brief moments early last week. Enjoy the memory.