Reunited (and it feels so good)

Well, like usual, we had a FABULOUS time at the Graham family reunion. We flew into Santa Barbara on Friday afternoon thinking that all this talk about a giant HEAT WAVE was pure silliness. It was DRY heat after all, and the warmth was durable. Then Graham's dad drove us up into the mountains to be greeted by 114 degree heat! HOLYCRIPES! The heat provided us with a few useful things: 1) perfect swimming pool weather 2) a cancellation of 85% of the planned activities which led to 3) just hanging out time. Perfection.

Graham's folks surprised us by putting us up in a teeny little air conditioned cabin that was so perfect for us. Since we were on New York time, we watched the sunrise every morning come over the amazing mountain, while we drank coffee on the porch.

I've never eaten so much meat and starch in my life. The last night we all congregated for dinner all the younger women folk collected to make dinner. All of them are moms (except me) and I think they were all feeling the lack in the vegetable department. I practically DOVE into the salad and bowl of steamed broccoli that was on the picnic table. Even Graham, who's diet consists of the three food groups meat, burrito, and sandwich with meat, was grateful for the greenery.

One of the highlights of the trip was going into Santa Barbara and going on Graham's uncle's boat. Graham speaks of his Uncle Jack's boat rides with a misty affection he reserves for little else in his childhood. Not only was it just plain BEAUTIFUL to be out on the Pacific ocean, but it was also like seeing a nine year old version of my husband dancing about the boat, checking the fishing lines, and grinning from ear to ear.

Also, can I just say I LOVE nieces. In case there is any doubt, here is a picture of me and Graham with our niece Avery, who although had her FIFTH tooth in a week coming in, and had a fever of 101 the entire time, still proceeded to be the LIFE of the party. Maybe it was her hat.



The last night we all congregated for the "family trivia and talent show," which consisted of Graham's mother asking the kids to guess which adult was matched with what fantastical fact. All the kids thought Graham or his cousin Craig were responsible for the trivia linked to acts of crime or punishment. Then the two oldest of the kid's group--both girls--performed for us. Graham's twelve year old 2nd cousin, Bailey (who told us at the beginning of the visit that she wanted to be called "Meadow," to which I responded, "I think we're going to get along just fine, Meadow,") played "The Can Can" on her flute and then shyly sang a song that brought everyone TO TEARS. Sometimes I think that children's singing could close prisons, end wars, and heal the hearts of all the broken people in the world. Meadow's voice was so pure and tender that I felt all my nervous sarcasm and defensive individualism just MELT AWAY. I took Graham's hand and looked out at all these people wiping their faces and laughing at each other and thought, "This is family."