I am aware that I’m quite blessed, and I try to take notice of my blessings regularly. Of course, like everyone, some days I become ridiculous and whine about inconsequential things but, for the most part, I try to be thankful for each day and all that comes with it. I’m sure there are people who find my intentionality about life annoying. I won’t name any names. Regardless, I find that most days bring something about which to be thankful.
And even whole weekends.
The past weekend was one of the best of this year. My siblings came to visit. Actually, my siblings, my niece and my great nephew all came to visit. I was delighted to have them here. Although that Great Aunt thing makes it sound like I should have my hair in a bun and knee-high hose rolled down to my ankles. But, maybe that is just my overactive imagination.
The purpose of their visit morphed over time. The original reason for their visit ended up not having anything to do with why they were actually here. But in the end, everything about their visit was perfect and necessary…and a blessing.
My siblings and I truly appreciate each other. This wasn’t always the case. My sister revealed that that she dropped me on my head not once, but twice, while we were children. Of course, she says neither time was deliberate. But, I’m fairly certain she wasn’t exactly sorry when it happened. Nevertheless, in adulthood, my siblings and I have discovered that we have a wonderful relationship, enjoy one another’s company, laugh a lot, and all survived our crazy childhood intact.
Well, if you don’t count my misshapen head.
Maya Angelou says that every woman should know that her childhood may not have been perfect…but it’s over. I would include men in that sentiment. And I think my siblings and I have been able to view our childhood from that perspective.
I am grateful that my brother and sister were able to be here and visit our mom. In just a few short days they were able to experience the health roller-coaster we’ve been riding for the last five months. One day she was really good and the next day she was strapped to a gurney being hauled off to the Emergency Room. They were able to help me have a conversation with Mommie Dearest about how much more of this drama she wants to endure and when to say enough is enough. Together we made the decision to have her over on Sunday afternoon, knowing that would mean she’d be in bed for the next couple of days. We weren’t wrong. But we all felt it was worth it.
And they cheerfully ate lots of squash.
We looked at old family photos and discovered unknown resemblances. Some a little spooky! It took all three of our brains to recall the location of three houses we lived in Aurora and all day to find them on GoogleMaps. We drove to them and tried to remember our lives there. We were only marginally successful, each remembering some little snippet. Two of the houses were across the street from the runway at Stapleton Airport and Karen remembered sitting in the front yard awaiting the arrival of The Beatles airplane. We discussed the absurdity of moving from one house to the one next door. And the fact that the shabby little houses looked pretty much the same as they had looked all those years ago when we lived there.
We admitted that returning to childhood memories can sometimes conjure up unsettling feelings. And celebrate that we have one another to share both the memories and the discomfort. Mostly, we are happy to have friendship with one another.
It is a blessing to spend time with my siblings. These are the people with whom my earliest memories are shared. And my worst. These are the people who love me no matter what. People I am like in so many ways and people I’m vastly different from. We share DNA. And concern about our elderly mother. They think I’m funny. Sometimes. Other times they patiently tolerate me.
I adore both of them.
I am blessed to have them in my life. For years I longed for what I now have. So much craziness in our family made it seem impossible. One day we discovered we didn’t have to perpetuate the craziness and the result was a delightful sibling relationship.
It is every bit as wonderful as I imagined it could be.
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