Our Family Gathers
The family of four arrive first,
Back doors open, out Rowan and Wes burst,
Hugs all around, then into our
home,
The familiar, the new noted as
they roam.
Off to the next-door park to swing
and slide,
Then home again for Nana’s
surprise.
Her Pinterest finds keep them busy
for awhile,
She turning an ear to adult talk,
meanwhile.
Games chosen that the youngest can
play,
A snack and a kiss end the day.
Next day a trip to recall former
days,
Mom and Dad’s college romance phase,
Driving by houses they once occupied,
This Valparaiso small town appeal hadn’t
died.
Later that night, when all were
asleep,
Nana and Papa picked up the next
peeps.
Welcoming the Florida flyers, five
in all,
Standing on tiptoe to hug the most
tall.
The next two days were fun galore,
Hometown restaurants, games and
more.
We lost count of visits for ice-cream
stand treats,
The cousins connected never
missing a beat.
A July 4th stop at Great Grandma’s
small suite,
Later, tin-foil dinners and corn,
oh, so sweet.
The last two family arrived that
night from OK,
With dog Wriggley along for their
stay.
After dark, fun fireworks in the
driveway,
Then Nana projected slides that viewed
sideways.
Would old, sideways slides fascinate
the young grands?
Their exit before the end of the
show proved, no, and not fans!
How pleasant the time spent at
Chupp’s resort,
Fishing, boating and swimming-the
day was too short.
The family from O left from there,
deciding it was time,
Our number dwindled from 13 to
nine.
Unexpected passing of a very close
friend,
Time out to celebrate Del’s life, many
hearts left to mend.
Sunday the clan proudly filled up one
church row,
Then off to Evil Czech for brunch
all in tow.
Monday included thrifting and
biking,
Only Schrocks played some serious
Scrabbling.
Tuesday was golfing for some,
The rest rode to Shipshe for
fleamarket fun.
That last night together we played
games and ate Pad Thai,
We memorized faces knowing it
would soon be good-bye.
Early morning to the airport to
drop off the flyers,
Later after a coffee shop chat,
last hugs to the riders.
The house now stands quiet, routine
is back,
I’ll drink in the peace, yet
feeling the lack
Of the fun and the chatter, the hugs
and the loud,
The messy and busy, the love and
the crowd.
The memories will linger, the
cleaning, too,
Then we’ll meet up again, can’t
wait ‘til we do.
