I’m home, at least for a
while. Evan is all graduated…Rhys is
still working on it. I had a wonderful
time at the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, in June. I learned new techniques, honed some
previously learned techniques, met up with old friends, made some new ones, and
did some shopping…what’s not to love about a week like that? After the Show, I was off to Colorado to see
my Grandma, Aunt Pete, Uncle Ben and Aunt Judy, and Adam. What a wonderful visit. I love spending time with my Grandma. It seems we never run out of things to talk
about. It’s like having a week long
slumber party…except we don’t stay up all night. It is interesting to talk to one’s
grandmother about life, love, relationships, good times and hard times. I have spent a lot of time with my
grandmother over the course of my life, but I have learned more about her and
her life during the two weeks I have spent with her the last two summers than
in all the time before that. I wish I had been able to record everything she
told me, because I can’t remember all of the stories. And there are a lot! She has an amazing memory. I heard about her growing up and little tidbits
about Granddad. I listened to stories
about some of the struggles she went through as a young wife and mother. I got to hear about the snake that ate my mom’s
little red sandals…at least that was Mom’s story. I learned what it takes to make a marriage
last 75 years. I listened to stories
about some of the great trips they went on.
I relived the camping trips in the National forests and some of the
wild, off-road gallivanting of my youth.
What great fun! I know there are a ton more stories for her to
tell, and I can’t wait until next year, when I will get to hear them.
It was also wonderful to
see my aunts and uncle. I have a great
family! Aunt Pete just keeps hupomeno-ing
(keeps on keeping on). She amazes me
with her drive. Aunt Judy made some of
the most amazing crackers! I don’t think
there is anything she makes that isn’t good.
I made some of them for Eric’s dad.
He said, “I’ve been getting into them when you aren’t looking.” When I went to get some, I found that he had
been getting into them…to the “all gone” stage.
I made him some more before I left.
Adam looked great. I enjoyed
spending some time with him. It is neat
to see the changes a year makes in attitudes and maturity of a young man.
Over the last year, I have
gotten spend a lot of time one-on –one with Rhys. It has been great. I am thankful that I have gotten to know him
as a person, in a way, separate from him as my son. I have a month now with Evan, and I hope to
be able to know him in the same way.