Sunday, June 12, 2011
Summer Barbeques
I was sitting here this afternoon thinking about some of the great fun we used to have in Menan during the summer months. I remember going to Grandma Strupp's house when I was a kid and having barbecues with the whole family, everyone would bring a salad or side dish and the kids would play games like kick the can or no bears out tonight once the sun set. One of my favorite memories is walking down the road to the Midway elementary school and playing softball on their ball diamond with my aunts, uncles, and cousins. It didn't matter who won the game, just that everyone had fun in the process. One of the things I've learned since becoming an adult and teaching kids of all ages is that I was extremely lucky to have family gatherings like these and have the family that I have. Although we are all older (and hopefully wiser about some things) I think we all yearn for those days at one time or another. I'm looking forward to the family camp out this year and seeing all my cousins and other family members who can make it out to it. Last year I spent it in pain and being carted around in a wheelchair and it looks like my mom might end up doing the same thing, but no matter what, we'll be there to enjoy the company of our family. I love you guys!
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You are awesome Kim. I am so proud of you for just conceiving of taking on such a thing as this! I'm gonna "pry" every last memory out of family's head til its mush, if they don't turn them over willingly!...lol!
ReplyDeleteI have so many memories I honestly don't know where to begin. I want to start writing in word then cut & paste. Its actually something i have been wanting to do for a long time anyway, this just gives me a reason to finally sit down and write.
One of my most comforting memories is of grandma when i was very young. This was before dad married mom, so I was probably around 4 or 5 years old. I can still smell Grandma's housecoat and apron. I can still hear the squeak of the rocking chair when Grandma would push back, and the groan when it came back forward. I feel how safe I felt in her arms when she held me across her chest. I even remember the cadence of the pats on my back and the rhythem to the rocking... Back-squeak, forward-groan, pat, back-squeak, pat, forward-groan, squeak, pat, groan, pat... And on it went until a childs innocent sleep claimed me and Grandma kept all the bad dreams away.