It’s been a long, long time since I’ve been to a family reunion. So long, in fact, that I’m certain it was pre-driving days for me. The occasion was my grandmother’s 90th birthday. When I took this job, and moved halfway across the country, the first question any of my family asked me was if I was coming back for the party. Um….OF COURSE!
So, after golf on Thursday, off we went! We arrived as everyone was sitting down to dinner. Some of my cousins were there (with their children!), and most of my aunts/uncles. The famous onion rings were on the table, along with loads of ranch dressing. Laughs were had, rum was drank, and a relatively early night was had by all. After a brief snafu with my hotel room (who knew there was more than one Worthington in this country?!), my head hit the pillow on the rollaway in my father’s room.
Friday brought more golf, more rum and more laughs. I shot a 113 on a course I’m not sure I’ve ever played, though I have driven the cart there more than I can count. Even destroyed a tee box when I was small. More of the family arrived, more rum was drank, a bar fight was narrowly avoided…good times in small towns.
Saturday I slept waaaaaaay in. Then the official party started. It was really great to see family I haven’t seen in forever, friends of family that remember me as a small child, children of people that used to throw me in the lake. It was lovely, though it does make me realize that I’m getting old. Sunday there was a quick brunch and I was on the way back to moms.
The two things I miss most about Minnesota are my family and my friends. It’s really, really tough to be away from the people that have been there through good and bad. The people that have seen me at my absolute worst and are there for me no matter what. Life is a roller coaster, and I’m so grateful to have such an amazing support structure around me; knowing that I can be who I am, without judgment. I appreciate it more than words can describe. Thank you for being there.
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