It’s good to be home – with too much laundry, too little food in the fridge and a whole lot of warm fuzzies in my heart for this remarkable family o’ mine. The delight of feeling cool air on my face, the awesome humility that one feels when looking at the silhouette of mountains which stand boldly reminding me of how inconsequential I am in the phenomenon known as the world.
Seeing the boys in the morning as they would arrive in the kitchen for coffee, still bearing a resemblance of the little guys they once were – hair messed, eyes puffy, faces still soft with sleep. Tender silence and soft chatter about the plans for the day. They’d go off to golf with Andy while the girls (women really, but everything is relative – pun intended) and I lagged behind, holding on to the morning without the requirement of tee times. A trip to the gym, a morning at the spa…blackberry picking and wine tasting, time for some reading and napping and talking.
Later in the day, I’d lie down in our room just to listen to the banter of these six amazing people, their laughter like music on the air. The back-and-forth of their teasing – relentless though it seems to me, a pleasure for them. We’re as dysfunctional as any other family – with regrets and memories that still itch under the skin – and love that can both soothe and singe. And when we parted with whispered “I love you s” there remains the unspoken comfort that wherever they go, we are all together regardless. Fiercely protective of each other, defending our family craziness with defiance and moving forward with the certainty that there will always, always be us. And I cry as always, for my body can’t hold all this love and there are no words to explain the tears. One will hug extra hard, one will tease me until I laugh and one will email me later to check in with the crazy woman they have for a mother.
“This is part of what a family is about, not just love. It’s knowing that your family will be there watching out for you. Nothing else will give you that. Not money. Not fame. Not work.” — Mitch Albom
And for my boys and their loves, for Andy – I love you all more than my heart can possibly hold. Welcome home.
Waiting for the Karma Truck 
You are just an incredibly lovely soul. You are all so fortunate to have each other. Thank you for sharing and welcome home. You were missed.
Thank you Maureen!! I missed you all too – it seems like I was gone for far longer than I actually was! 🙂
Oh Em Gee. Mimi, this is one to keep. I love how you’ve summed up what being a family is all about. What being a Mother feels like. What constitutes the joys of simple life. I adore you woman…this is what it is ALL about.
MWAH!
Thank you WW – I had to put this out there while it was fresh in my mind, though arguably it doesn’t grab it all. Big hugs, me
A beautiful post from a *truly* beautiful soul. Family can be so, so complicated, but at the same there’s nothing like it. A lovely testament to the bonds you share. You’re very lucky to have one another, and we’re incredibly lucky to have you as well…. Xoxox, l
I hope I never have to wonder what it would be like not to have you in my life…We are lucky and we’re blessed…I think the kids realize it too. We all built this together and the house still stands..xoxo, m
Welcome home! It’s good to have you back at the wheel. Loved this post.
Thank you sweetie!! It’s good to be ‘on the road’ again..xox
Welcome home Mimi…I missed ya! I can just feel what a wonderful, special and important time you had – so glad for you! Your family is lucky to have you at it’s epi-center! I hope you ease in gently to the ‘back at home’ routine, but with the best souvenirs possible – memories of time well spent with your favorite people who make your ♥ sing! xo
Hi Bonnie!! It’s good to be back – I hope all is well with you . Connectivity was awful up there, so I think I have a lot of catching up to do with the posts I follow. We have my in-laws arriving in a few hours – no easing in to being back for yours truly!! xo, m
Oh I wish you had a bit more of a buffer for yourself to recharge and reconnect, but it all sounds like lovely family time. Your post over at David’s blog today is beautiful, so beautiful. it stirs up so many feelings for me, good ones, complicated ones, and everything in between. What a gift you have in those memories and all that your father gave you – I loved every word of it.
Hope you get a moment or two for you in the days ahead xo
Thank you Bonnie – August is so full of conflicting extremes for me – birthdays, anniversaries and then my dad’s death. It’s a little draining. But I am blessed with those memories and I miss him every day.
I look forward to my in-laws coming – and a little running around is good for the metabolism!! xox
Absolutely wonderful! Gosh I have missed you! I got goosebumps reading this! You have some truly lucky boys!
Really lucky mom…:-)
Beautiful post. Your sense of gratitude shines brightly.
I’m a total pushover when it comes to my family…:-) It served these boys to their advantage when they were teenagers, let me tell you..
So glad you had a wonderful time Mimi. We are so blessed with our families I cannot imagine what life would have been like without my kids and I am so glad I do not have too… Enjoy your memories!
I hear you Tina…I enjoy the memories and I enjoy making them even more!! 🙂
Oh yes Mimi, I am headed your way early in the a.m., I hope the heat is not too bad 🙂
Glad you’re back but even more glad that your trip was everything you hoped for and more. It sounds glorious!! We missed you!!
Thanks Jenni – it is good to be welcomed back with a big virtual hug!!!
A post filled with love and generosity. You have a beautiful and wonderful family that is always there for each other no matter what. These are inspiring, ““This is part of what a family is about, not just love. It’s knowing that your family will be there watching out for you. Nothing else will give you that. Not money. Not fame. Not work.” Thanks. Best wishes…
Thank you – it is a wonderful family; I am grateful daily..Thank you for stopping by!!
This gave me warm fuzzies as well! Lovely post!
🙂 Thank you!
Holidays are great but there is nothing like getting home, well once the unpacking and laundry is out of the way and you get to sleep in your own bed…………what a great post made me want a holiday………………hell every man and his dog know I want a holiday…………lol
All so true..although I slept really well up there in the mountains!!! Wish you could take the holiday of your dreams too..:-)
Beautiful post. I am so glad you had a nice time with your family.
Thanks – it was a really good time. I hope your blueberries are thriving! 🙂
Wonderful post Mimi . . .
Thank you Dr. Bill – I missed seeing your posts everyday!! The mountains are magnificent; the connectivity not so wonderful..
Mimi, Sounds like a good trade off though. Enjoy!
Tons of laundry is a great price for such wonderful memories. Sounds like a wonderful time was had by all. Welcome back and thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Totally worth it!!! And it’s not like I’m beating the clothes against the rocks to get them clean..:-)
Hahahaha…omg, I always say that when people complain about wash. That is too funny!
Great minds…:-)
Oh, my aching heart. I imagine myself you with a grown Alice and brilliant and absurd little grandchildren nipping at my heels. The beauty of it is almost too much. You deserve that amazing family of yours… and it sounds as though they deserve you, too. What a lovely life.
Oh Christine, I can’t imagine what I’m going to be like should little grandchildren start entering the picture! it is a lovely, wonderful life – and I can’t tell you how aware of that I am…
Felt so much love in your post. Very warming. Lovely family you got. You are so absolutely right, family means everything. Thanks for sharing.
🙂 How are you doing?? Hope all is going really well!!
I am doing better. 🙂 thanks for asking. Had a slight set back today (her second day at daycare for an hour and she cried……..and I cried). So emotional, I guess is a right word to describe today. It will get better. Best
Emotional with good reason..it’s hard to see them sad and it makes us want to run back and just grab them and hold them. And although we know it is going to be fine, how can we let them cry? It will get better Jo, it will…xox
I know! 🙂 thanks for assuring words. Tomorrow is gonna be a wonderful day! Have a great evening.
🙂 Thank you – you too..
ANOTHER beautiful post. Thank you, Mimi!
Wow! I’m two for two! Thank you!
Thank you for inviting us in to meet your family, Mimi. I’m glad your vacation was great and experienced with such wonderful people.
Russ
Absolutely Russ – welcome to my world!! Pull up a chair, and have a cup of coffee with me..:-)