May. 21, 2005 - 20:07 MDT

RELATIVE OVERLOAD

It will take some time for me to put together in my own mind the events and conversations of the last four days that happened to me. Every minute a joy to me, every hour of sleep begrudged.

Much like a gathering storm brewing, events began to bunch up, to all happen now. It began with Heather's brother's arrival Thursday morning. Events family, on the near horizon, one being the high school graduation of a grand niece of Heather, her brother and I. A very important thing in our family for this particular young lady, who happily in full sobriety whooped it up.

Then came a birthday party for a son-in-law of ours and also for a great-grand-daughter (son-in-law's grandaughter).

In between there was visiting with various family members that Heather's brother sees infrequently. Since his wife died several years ago he has traveled the country a lot going back and forth like the "Mark Of Zorro" visting kids of his, one lives in Tampa, Florida and one in Sequim, Washington and one or two elswhere. He sold his house, has a motor home he puts on the road now and then and has made an addition to the house of one of his kids in Idaho that he will call home base. Doubt he will be in it much. On his way to and fro he will stop in and visit us for a day or two and like a fast moving thunder/rain storm move on, usually in the middle of the night (ostensible reason being to get an early traffic free start) I think perhaps he doesn't want to have to say "goodbye" to anyone.

Perhaps I will be able to have breakfast with him tomorrow though as Heather shopped and bought for him eight or so very colorful Geraniums for him to carry back to Idaho with him. They are sitting on our porch, watered to the max to drain overnight and be packed in a plastic lined box to carry home. But who knows ? Perhaps he'll decamp again during the night.

The graduation barbecue was fantastic, both as to the food as well as the company. The three of us got to visit with many family members we don't often see, as well as family friends that are seldom seen. We really were tickled to see the graduate celebrate her little heart out, truly a ray of sunshine that would cut through the gloomiest clouds in the world.

As usual at our family gatherings there is a crop of "littles" to hug and tease, answer questions for, and of course a baby or two to hold and cuddle. We stayed a bit longer than we intended but reluctantly left to go to the combined birthday party.

I think perhaps this man was misinformed about the big part of the party, it was a mechanical bull rather than horse. Those of us old enough and likewise sane enough were the laughing audience for the hi-tech bulleroo. The man who had the ride was a friend of some of the family and the ride, time and effort was freely given. All legal and above board, it was, who ever rode the bull had to be covered by a waiver, even the little kids parents signed the waiver. We were very impressed at the gentility used with the "littles" best I can say is that each ride was age and expretise appropriate. Some of the kids around eleven years old turned out to be leeches on the bull and some of the adults went off on their behinds early on. It was good entertainment that I have never seen before. Wish I had of been able to give it a try, but this Dumbo knows better.

There was tradtional finger food and a variety of drinks through the party. Then of course was the traditional opening of presents by those celebrating. Pleasant it was, with jibes from the audience, hoots, whistles and cheers. As the bull owners began to shut the rig down, disassemble the works, ice cream and cake was passed to all. Then as young folks began to gather chairs and stack them, neaten things up, some of us kept on visiting as probably we wouldn't see some of them again for quite some time. Our oldest son and his mate were there, she, her mother and her older sister had come back from an Alaskan cruise last Sunday and the ladies talked that over. Heather's brother, our son and I talked about men things, projected building plans of brother-in-law and things like that, reminiscences of things, places and times ago also had their place. Then for Heather, her brother and I the tendency to linger at family gatherings is the knowledge that we might not see one or more of family members alive again -- it has happened in the past.

Eventually we gathered ourselves and left for home, when we got there we opened it up to air out (think it hit 90 today) turned on the fan and gathered out back on plastic picnic chairs, sat in the breeze as it cooled off, continuing our visit. Later when it had cooled in the house Heather and her brother are watching a video, "Meet The Fockers," chortling now and then when they aren't giggling a bit. I at the keyboard making an entry.

So tired from all that fun I am typing with both left feet, on the risk of my chin clunking down on the keyboard as I nod. Oh, but it was so much fun seeing everybody, but tonight I might just say that I happen to be on RELATIVE OVERLOAD . . . . . . . . . . . .

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