Widdle itty bitty babies and big fatty hunks of love
Drove to visit my paternal family in La Crescenta for an early Italian-style Thanksgiving dinner. I learned a lot about my family that I wouldn't have learned if my parents came with us. For instance, I thought my dad's side of the family was completely conservative, but it turns out that two of my aunts and one of my uncles are Democrats. This makes me happy because I feel like I have a little political support, although we are far outnumbered by the number of Republicans on both sides of my family (GG did vote for Kerry in the past election, though). I also learned that my family, or at least part of my family, knows that my mom's a stoner. Uncle Rob asked me how often my dad drinks, and then out of the blue asked me if my mom still smokes marijuana everyday. It came as such a complete shock to me because I have never, ever talked about drugs with a member of my family, let alone talked about my mom doing them. In fact, I couldn't help but gape at him for a few seconds before I regained composure and started laughing. I mean think about it: talking about how your mom is perpetually stoned with your dad's best friend and brother. I don't know, it was hilarious to me. I told him how my parents don't even know that I know that they smoke, and he said, "Oh, they do. They don't think you're that stupid." It was probably the best conversation I have ever had with my uncle, and I've seen him on a regular basis for eighteen years. It's funny what happens when you're parents aren't around.
I saw my new baby cousin, Lauren. She's adorable, as most new baby cousins are. She has these big, brown eyes that make her look very aware all the time. And she has long, long eye lashes. I got to hold her for the family photos (oh God, who does family photos anymore, honestly?) because I'm the oldest (and best looking--HA!) cousin in the family. I saw my kind-of-Grandma Susie, who has brain cancer and had surgery a while back. It was really disheartening to see her so weak and frail. I remember when she was happy and peppy and running around bringing the kids extra whip cream for their pumpkin pie. But tonight, all she could do was sit on the couch. I talked to her about college plans, and her eyes kind of glazed over like she either couldn't understand me or her brain sort of shut off for a few minutes. When we were leaving, I gave her a hug, and she held my hands and told me how proud she was of me. It was really sad but happy at the same time.
Everyone asked about Peter, and it was so much fun bragging about him. I think they were all kind of surprised that I didn't bring him, and I would have, but that didn't work out. They see you as family now, baby boy. All of my family wanted to know what his plans were for college and how driving was going and how we were. It was really nice to see that some people care, especially my Aunt Michelle, my cousin Lauren's mother. She came over to me with this huge goofy grin on her face and asked, "Soooooo, how are you and Peeeeeeeeter?" I couldn't help but get all giggly and mushy and I just had to show her my locket. She "Oooooooooohed" and "Awwwwwwwwwed" and "How cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuted," and then she said, "Now, here's the question. Did he put those pictures in himself?" Uh yuh, duh, my baby's got skillz, yo. And she smiled all over again and said, "Oh, he's a keeper." And I was just like, well obviously. Sometimes I love my family. And I got to show off my locket to all of my cousins (all but one of whom are girls) and my aunts and grandmas. I just realized I have a freaking big family. Nineteen people were at Aunt Ashley's house, and that was only some of my dad's side of the family. I'm lucky.
I don't know why I decided to write all of this mundane stuff. I guess it's because we all have our problems, and we all throw pity-parties from time to time, but when you look at what other people go through, and the beautiful things in life, you realize that maybe things aren't as bad as you thought. I mean look: I have a new baby cousin and a sort-of-Grandma who are alive and well, to certain degrees. I don't know. I guess this family visit put things into perspective for me, and I'm glad it put me in my place. I can't believe I had the audacity to complain about having to visit them. Maybe I walked away a better person in the end.
Also, this upcoming week is big for me: We're hosting Thanksgiving this year, which means I'll see most of the nineteen people mentioned above plus my mom's side of the family, which means I get to see GG! I miss her so much, you have no idea. And then on Saturday, I get to see my uncle Steven and his new wife (which means my new aunt Rebecca) for the first time since Easter. I'm so excited, I could pop and pee my pants at the same time. Only I won't do that because Peter and Gene and Brendan would never let me live that down. They all have urine fetishes, in case anyone didn't know.
Peter: You're invited to Thanksgiving and Uncle Steven's reception. Can you get the day off of work? Pleaseeeeeeeeee? Or maybe even just be able to get off early?
Wait, they don't love you like I love you.
I saw my new baby cousin, Lauren. She's adorable, as most new baby cousins are. She has these big, brown eyes that make her look very aware all the time. And she has long, long eye lashes. I got to hold her for the family photos (oh God, who does family photos anymore, honestly?) because I'm the oldest (and best looking--HA!) cousin in the family. I saw my kind-of-Grandma Susie, who has brain cancer and had surgery a while back. It was really disheartening to see her so weak and frail. I remember when she was happy and peppy and running around bringing the kids extra whip cream for their pumpkin pie. But tonight, all she could do was sit on the couch. I talked to her about college plans, and her eyes kind of glazed over like she either couldn't understand me or her brain sort of shut off for a few minutes. When we were leaving, I gave her a hug, and she held my hands and told me how proud she was of me. It was really sad but happy at the same time.
Everyone asked about Peter, and it was so much fun bragging about him. I think they were all kind of surprised that I didn't bring him, and I would have, but that didn't work out. They see you as family now, baby boy. All of my family wanted to know what his plans were for college and how driving was going and how we were. It was really nice to see that some people care, especially my Aunt Michelle, my cousin Lauren's mother. She came over to me with this huge goofy grin on her face and asked, "Soooooo, how are you and Peeeeeeeeter?" I couldn't help but get all giggly and mushy and I just had to show her my locket. She "Oooooooooohed" and "Awwwwwwwwwed" and "How cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuted," and then she said, "Now, here's the question. Did he put those pictures in himself?" Uh yuh, duh, my baby's got skillz, yo. And she smiled all over again and said, "Oh, he's a keeper." And I was just like, well obviously. Sometimes I love my family. And I got to show off my locket to all of my cousins (all but one of whom are girls) and my aunts and grandmas. I just realized I have a freaking big family. Nineteen people were at Aunt Ashley's house, and that was only some of my dad's side of the family. I'm lucky.
I don't know why I decided to write all of this mundane stuff. I guess it's because we all have our problems, and we all throw pity-parties from time to time, but when you look at what other people go through, and the beautiful things in life, you realize that maybe things aren't as bad as you thought. I mean look: I have a new baby cousin and a sort-of-Grandma who are alive and well, to certain degrees. I don't know. I guess this family visit put things into perspective for me, and I'm glad it put me in my place. I can't believe I had the audacity to complain about having to visit them. Maybe I walked away a better person in the end.
Also, this upcoming week is big for me: We're hosting Thanksgiving this year, which means I'll see most of the nineteen people mentioned above plus my mom's side of the family, which means I get to see GG! I miss her so much, you have no idea. And then on Saturday, I get to see my uncle Steven and his new wife (which means my new aunt Rebecca) for the first time since Easter. I'm so excited, I could pop and pee my pants at the same time. Only I won't do that because Peter and Gene and Brendan would never let me live that down. They all have urine fetishes, in case anyone didn't know.
Peter: You're invited to Thanksgiving and Uncle Steven's reception. Can you get the day off of work? Pleaseeeeeeeeee? Or maybe even just be able to get off early?
Wait, they don't love you like I love you.