New York

We spent this past weekend visiting my Grandma and some extended family on Long Island. First there was the plane ride. I was so nervous about how Elinore would do. She's at that stage where she doesn't want to sit still for more than 2 minutes at a time. I had a bag full of books, snacks, her doll, some movies (to be watched on Kev's laptop). Luckily neither flight was full, so we had a row of three seats each time. She did awesome!! I seriously do not give her enough credit. She loved looking out the window as the workers filled the plane and trucks buzzed around. When we were up at cruising altitude Kevin took her for a walk during which she greeted all the passengers (sleeping or not)!

We had a wonderful weekend, full of farkle, laughing, eating, seeing cousins I hardly ever see. My cousins Ed and Hope came for dinner the first night, Uncle Blue took Kevin out to his boat, we stopped at my Aunt Nancy's the next morning and were joined by my cousins Dave and Eileen and their kids. (The second photo - which I love! - is of their daughter Katie who is only two months younger than Elinore. She is so cute, and the girls seemed interested that their was someone their own size!). The second evening we were joined by my cousin Karen and her four kids. James (the oldest) who I have not seen in almost four years for various reasons totally blew me away when he walked in the door. I would never have recognized him. Somewhere in that time he changed from boy to ...well, man nearly. He's 6 ft, with a deep voice, and a gentle manner. It was so good to see them all.

When I was in college I remember feeling a bit lost as to where home was for me. We moved a fair amount growing up. From Tulsa to Houston to Chicago to Hope... When people asked where I was from I never knew quite how to answer. During that time I found myself at Green St. (my Grandma's street). I suddenly realized how much her house felt like...home. It was a place that had always remained unchanging throughout my childhood. Almost every year we traveled back for a visit...like a pilgrimage...filling up to get us through another year. She has lived in that house since before my father was born. We know all of the secrets of it. I love that there is so much family on the island, when we show up it is always like a big party, welcoming us back. I love the big trees, the old houses, the grand estates, the sandy beaches,... And most of all, I love Gram. It is always hard to leave