Happy July 4th, 2024!

 

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.