Short moments of time

Short moments of time is all that we ever spend together. I had to be at work this morning to “tumble” numbers. To get year end data together is some readable form that my boss can use to pry more funding from State agencies we serves and others whom we might in hopes that our little agency will not “wink” out of existence, being the latest victim of a failing economy. I should have stayed home to send off my daughter and her little family who are heading back to Salem today now that the family convergence is complete. Any other week of the year, just about, I would not had a problem taking half a day off to see Shelly away.

Actually, as it turns out Shell and Dustin planned to leave as early as possible and so my crashing round the house was for the best since then ended up leaving just minute after I left the house this morning. But as I was speeding down the street in the pre-dawn darkness, I wondered if our parting was to “light” or should I be suffering more at our parting like in the great movies: Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story or Old yeller? I was thrilled to see the kids especially the newest granddaughter, Riely, who just wowed us. Riely smiled and smiled for everyone—she truly is a people baby and a good baby. At 14 months she is brilliantly energetic and funny. On the verge of speech, Riely cutely signs, dances and loves images of out dog cinnamon which we have hung round the house. But no, there was no lump in the throat or fear I would never see the kids again. I will—maybe not as much as I would like, if they lived in the same city as I but we will. We’ll text, email and cell phone each other and even set our the camcorders to talk and see each other via the INTERNET. We have done that a little in the past but maybe we should get back into the whole virtual visiting. It’s not like having the soft clutching hand hold on to your little finger as she scouts round your power chair but almost as good to her being there.

In a weak moment we suggested that Dianne and I would host a meal for newly weds and family at our house on Sunday following the wedding. We did it we held a spaghetti dinner, with rolls, salad, garlic bread angel hair pasta, pre-made meat balls and sauce I cooked for hours. Strawberry pie, reese’s peanutbutter cake left over from the wedding champagne and vino and representatives of at least three different families. We think the number was 17 in all but we are nut sure. We put in the extra leaves in the table and brought in the long table from the garage—it was crowded but fun they way family functions should be. I was pleased there was little stress and enough food.

So it’s done, the convergence is past, relegated to the collective conscience of those who attended and participated in these events, a pile or receipts somewhere and thousands of digital images which will document these events form time and all eternity.