A Happy Goodbye – Reverie 2011 – Day 8

Saying farewell to my mother as she drove away from our strange September family reunion in Maine—sweet, happy, smiling, laughing.  Her cane was in the back seat, her bags in the trunk, and the day was looking cool and blue and nearly cloudless, perfect for a drive.  We waved and blew kisses as she headed out of the drive, after the lingering moments talking through the car window.  And I waved even after the car rounded the road’s bend, feeling good about goodbyes, and thinking how the next time we'd see each other would be for my son’s high school graduation, another milestone for this little family.  Funny how it takes more than fifty years of coming and going and bidding adieu to get it right, to know everything we’ve been through, good and bad, leads to a sense of calm and measure of expectation that the next time we meet will be even luckier and more amazing than all the times before.

David Gray’s song “Say Hello Wave Goodbye”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXURq1sJlWI&feature=related

Most Thankful, Most Loved – Reverie 11 – Days 4 & 5

This is going to sound incredibly clichéd, trite, and to some, unbelievable, but everyday of every year I feel most loved and thankful, all because of my family.  Like every family we have our highs, lows, piss-ass moods, riotous moments, and swells and roars of hilarity in between, especially when least expected.  We are all supportive of each other, but also private, and for that reason this little piece will remain brief.  We cling together like little barnacles and only feel like drowning when the waves get rough.  But we manage.  Despite hurricanes and oil spills, final exams and writing deadlines, we manage pretty well.  That said, every day of the year is pretty damned incredible, filled with gratitude and flipping cheer.