Back home

We are back home after many days of travelling. It was wonderful to reconnect with some of my family that I haven't seen in a long time. I have several aunts and uncles and approximately 8 million cousins on my Mom's side. Most of them live in the same area, whereas Becky and I always lived in Dallas. So on that side of the family, we were always the weird ones from far away. It was like a big club that we weren't allowed to join, and didn't understand anyway. When we grew up, we tended to keep in touch with our other grandparents, for whom we are the only (and spoiled rotten) grandkids.

As a kid, I wasn't much interested in trips to see anyone. I wanted to stay with my friends and I didn't feel like I had anything in common with my extended family. But now, I'm old enough to see the value of it, and to recognize similarities. It is unfortunate that by the time I was old enough to want to connect with my family, I was living 10 hours away. And now I feel like a lot has been missed. I was shocked to see my cousin Drew, who I remember as a pretty little black-haired baby, as a full-on teenager (still with beautiful black hair, though). It made me realize just how much time has passed.

So anyway. My grandpa was buried. The funeral was wonderful - a true celebration of his life and personality. I think that is a rare thing in funerals and I was grateful for it. I managed to keep from crying, although just barely, but I have spent a lot of time reflecting on his life, and remembering the time I had with him, especially when I was little.

It's funny how when you're little, you just assume that everyone's life began at the moment yours did. It's not until you're an adult that you start thinking of the lives that were lived before you were around and wanting to know more.

I'm rambling now, so perhaps I should shut up and go do some laundry.

The pictures will be coming. Of course.