Why was our two week vacation with our family idyllic?
First of all ... All ten of us were in a good place, individually
Secondly ... Everyone's sense of readiness to enjoy each other had ripened.
Thirdly, the weather was warm, sunny and balmy, perfect for beach and pool
Fourthly, any plan, which seemed complicated, at first, was simplified.
Fifth, everyone, over 21, felt free to do as he or she pleased, no interference
Sixth, each person's sense of community had space for privacy, as well
These six realities led to the seventh:
Personal freedoms respected, created
Cooperative attitudes, abounding, all around, with consistency, not
To be confused with rigidity
As several posts interrupted my diary of our two week holiday
Let's review before moving on ...
Will and I drove from the desert to the coast on a Friday
Each time we drive, packing is eased in this way:
A rod extends across the back seat, and
Clothes on hangers are transferred from closet to car, leaving
Plenty of space to see through the rear view mirror
Most other things are stuffed into a duffle and ... shopping bags
Upon arrival, we'll enjoy two days in Barry's guest suite, and
Before we can even unpack, we're whisked off to enjoy the state fair ...
Where, knowing that I can't walk very far
Barry rents a motorized scooter, and
Without mowing anyone down, I manage to
Maneuver my way through the crowds while
Keeping up with two energetic little guys and their friends
(Reminds me of decades back when we and our friends took
All of our kids to the fair, year in and year out)
Even with help from four year old Ray
I can't finish the giant drumstick, though I try!
Downing the roasted ear of corn offers no contest to me
And somehow, a delectable, vanilla ice cream cone
Swirls so quickly down my throat that I've no time
For consideration of calories to spoil my pleasure—I mean
Every now and then, even taste buds deserve respect, right?
On Saturday, David drives down with his 'Little Brother', Brant, who
Is now taller than his 'Big Brother' of five years
Each time Brant walks toward my open arms to share an embrace
He says: 'Hi Mom', making my heart smile
They sleep on an air mattress and in a sleeping bag, respectively
Marie's little guys sparkle with delight as
Contagious gaiety permeates each room of their new home
Joyously, they beg me to hide with them from everyone, and
Smiling mischievously, I do—repeatedly
Whenever someone finds us too quickly, Tony (5) instructs them to
Look other places before returning to find us, wherever we are
It's the waiting in suspense that makes hide and seek such fun
No wonder why the simplicity of a child's mind intrigues me to no end ...
I mean, think about how pleasant life would be without
Confusion bred of intrigue foisted upon
The adult brain by social propriety, which directs us to
Be so false to what is felt deep inside that
Often times we confuse no one as much as ourselves!
And if that were not true, the spirit of the sage
Would not feel need to swoop down to say:
'Know thyself, Annie' with such frequency as to
Weary my mind with diving for insight!
On Sunday morning, Barry surprises us with
Chocolate chip pancakes, ala the Sunday tradition, which
Had been enjoyed by our houseful of growing boys and their buds
(See photos at the end of post 1400)
Then, early Sunday afternoon, Celina flies in with Ravi while
Steven hauls their stuff across state lines in their SUV ...
Baby gear fills the back of their truck to capacity!
Once we're all together, joyful togetherness bounces off the walls
Barry simplifies his decision to BBQ for ten by
Tweaking his plan, choosing to free himself
To enjoy all the fun by ordering ribs and chicken, and
With this change in plan, we
Revel in each other's company, because ...
This is the first time all ten of us have ever
Been in the same room at the same time (eleven, with Brant)
I figure out how to say yes to fun and safety when
Right after swimming, Marie's boys ask to bathe with Ravi
And all of the adults delight to see
Tony, Ray and Ravi fall in love at first sight!
Sunday night, Will and I move into our two bedroom/two bathroom
Ocean view time share with Celina, Steven and Ravi ... freeing
Barry's guest suite for David, who is glad to have a bed, while Brant
Who does not want to leave us but has no choice, returns
Home for this reason:
On Monday, his junior year of high school begins ... and
Every time he's with us, he drinks in some variation of
The same heartfelt drill that we gave to our boys:
Education opens amazing doors to those who earn their degrees ...
For the most part, I need say nothing, though my smile says it all
You see, I hear my words, from years ago, flow straight from
My adult sons' mouths into Brant's teen-aged ear ...
Suggesting once again that throughout every person's life ...
Some things are in need of change while
Others remain constant from generation to generation ...
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