i made a fast trip to the farm last evening.
as i got closer the emotions began to surface
and i just wanted to cry.
since it was 5 miles away and there were family
members there, i postponed those tears.
ah the price of loving someone deeply
it was a beautiful evening.
we've gotten some much needed rain
so the grass was no longer dusty and
starting to green up a bit. new leaves
are budding on trees,
the wind wasn't blowing and the
temp in the mid 60's.
the evening doves were cooing,
the cattle were mooing,
(not making this up, they really were)
thank you God for the gift of rain.
a nephew was there with his family.
another was arriving soon.
i was exploring the flower beds on a tulip-bud hunt
with nearly 3 yr old Mr. Z, a great nephew.
he looked at the leaves and said,
"grandma has these"
(that's sister-bird.)
flowers soon loose their interest once the swing
is discovered. he sits down and slowly begins
to move it about.
i tell him his grandma used to swing on that swing,
and so did his daddy.
next time i'll tell him grandpa-great made
that swing.
once the swing becomes old i walk this very
cautious young man to the house next door to meet his cousins.
they were outside waiting on their daddy to get home.
it was interesting to watch this under 6 yr old group
begin to interact.
or not...
they just eyed each other from a distance.
Mr. Z hanging on tight to my hand,
and the cousins staying close to their mom.
i was reminded of how dogs greet each other
and was thankful the little boys didn't know about
that butt sniffing greeting. : )
due to locations and life these kids have not
had the opportunity to get to spend time together.
mom's funeral was really their first time.
eventually they all settled into doing mutual
activities around each other, but not together.
they were all digging in the dirt.
when it was time to go back to grandpa-greats
for supper i asked the cousins if they wanted
to walk with us. when they zipped in their grandmas
house getting permission, Mr. Z was concerned.
"they aren't coming" he sadly said.
"wait a bit."
and sure enough, out the door they bopped.
we headed back over just in time to see
grandpa-great step out in the yard checking
if we were coming. he was hungry.
this generation of kids' daddies, cousins themselves,
had played together for hours and hours on the farm.
had countless sleep overs, some on the swimming pool deck,
jumped off the pool railing,
(being encouraged by their grandpa),
made forts out of whatever they could get their
hands on.
blew up endless ant dens and gourds with fire crackers,
climbed the trees and tv tower, got on the roof,
learned to drive, shot bb guns, played in the barns,
and most certainly did many things they shouldn't.
how do i know what they did?
well i grew up on that farm
and had the same joys of cousins who came to play.
now the next generation is getting acquainted.
later as a dozen of us sat around the big table for
supper, i looked at the faces gathered.
four generations of family.
from the oldest, 83 year old grandpa-great to
the youngest, almost 3 year old Mr. Z,
my heart rejoiced, no desire for tears.
mom would have loved it and been in her element.
to see family together with
the gentle teasing and laughter that
nearly always enhances our meals.
to hear her now adult grandsons catching up on life.
to see the latest generation wanting to sit
next to each other, their little heads
barely big enough to see over the table,
wanting to eat so they could go play.
(this time they did play together.)
was sweetness.
it was all the good things my folks instilled in us.
the things that many generations have been taught.
we are a family who loves each other.
we are a family that has fun.
four generations sharing pizza and brownies...
and love.
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