Saturday, June 12, 2021

Real Hugs All Around


If you think I've been away from this spot, you are right. Fair warning: this post is a record of a joyful family visit. I knit a sock and a half while traveling but that can wait. You are welcome to come back later if family photos aren't for you.

We are home from a glorious week of ordinary days with our Connecticut family. Days filled with buttering toasted bagels for bright morning faces, sitting on the patio while grandchildren play in wading pools, playing board games, snitching potato chips out of a bag on the kitchen counter at lunch time, and reading bedtime stories. Time with the six of them was absolutely wonderful and precious. 

We were welcomed by hugs, handmade posters, and drawings that Jonah rolled up for the trip home. We cheered the three boys at T-ball, coach-pitch baseball, and kid-pitch baseball all on the same day. We raced so many Hot Wheels. 

Jonah had gardening gloves at the ready, his and mine. Kate and Jonah drove Pops to Home Depot so Jonah could show Pops the riding lawn mowers (he likes lawn mowers) and purchase herbs. Then at home, he hauled the soil, pots, and plants in his wheelbarrow. He and I planted them. We hugged often.

We dodged bikes and scooters as we walked the cemetery loop. At Emmet's request, there was a trip to the Dairy Queen with Blizzards all around. My daughter and I were shoulder to shoulder in the kitchen. Micah showed us his new karate belts. I gave him a big hug. 

Then the week was over. Weather delayed our flight and then the pilots timed out. We were fortunate to catch a later flight that same evening. My motto is if you get where you are going at the end of a traveling day, it's a good day. At 10:00 p.m. we were happy to be in our own car. I pulled up Broadway music and we sang ourselves home, arriving at 1:00 a.m. Our full hearts and poor voices kept us from getting sleepy. Not bad for a couple of oldsters. 

Norah, Emmett, Maddie (the dog), Micah, Jonah

Everyone on the plane, the airport, and airport shuttle was masked. The airline was no nonsense, announcing the possibility of criminal prosecution for anyone who didn't comply. Some restaurants at LaGuardia were checking temperatures before allowing customers in for dining. We welcomed the regulations meant to keep us as safe as possible. 

We are so grateful for the time together. I hope never to take these moments for granted again.  May your June days bring moments of joy with those you love. Did I mention the hugs? 




12 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful visit! We are looking forward to seeing our daughter's family in August after not seeing them since July of 2019, so I can definitely relate to your joyful hugs! I'll bet it was hard to leave!

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  2. What a wonderful visit with your family. Real live hugs are the best! See you again soon.

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  3. This is DEFINITELY the most joyful blog posting of the month! Looks like you had a wonderful time.

    Hopefully you will be able to repeat it often.

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  4. What a great visit!! So glad you were able to go and enjoy. Real hugs are the BEST.

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  5. This is the BEST post! The smiles on your faces... the hugs... the mundane daily life....these are the things that make up a wonderful life! Bravo to you for your trip!

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  6. Oh Jane, I teared up (with happy tears!) reading this post! I am so glad you were able to finally be with your grandkids and get all those hugs and make all those wonderful memories!

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  7. Yup, happy tears here, too! I'm so glad you could have such a joyful reunion and spend a wonderful week full of the ordinary moments you have all been so deprived of. Hooray for all the real hugs, DQ Blizzards, planting herbs, and drawings rolled up for the trip home. Hooray for every joyous moment!

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  8. I am fighting the tears, I am SO HAPPY for you, it's been too long and thank God for the blessings you had while being with your family.

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  9. What a wonderful post! So happy to read posts about families and friends reuniting.

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  10. You look so happy. There is nothing like family to make you feel happy and full and grateful. You clearly are. I enjoy family posts. I love hearing all you did. It is so wonderful to be together physically after COVID!!! You look great

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  11. oh Jane - yay! I'm beyond happy for y'all ... and the photos and your words tell a beautiful reunion story. Sara is braving the airports this weekend for a quick trip up to NYC ... I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet, but I'm glad she is!

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