Today was Labor Day, 2023. A day that is for many the end of summer, though officially that will not occur for a few weeks. I say good riddance. It is my least favorite of the seasons, and this summer has been particularly brutal. Soon we will hearken back the season I enjoy the most… fall. I love the vibrant colors and cool but not too cold temperatures. Am I the only one who finds it counterintuitive that Labor Day is celebrated by taking the day off from WORK! Labor Day has become for most, a barbecue holiday and a reason to be, like I said, off work. For me, it is mainly one more chance to gather with family members who have scattered near and far. What once seemed to be a small and manageable world has now gotten so big that I can no longer see it. Relatives whose names I don’t even know. Whose faces I will never see. But today, more than anything, is a time to reflect and be thankful for those I can be with. A day that has been set aside to honor all the hard work that built this land. Today has also been special because my son John and his family were able to stop by. It was actually an eventful weekend as on Saturday I got to visit with my sister Pam, step-father Rick, and from Ohio my sister Theresa and brother-in-law Eric. Theresa and Eric had driven in from Ohio for a little day of remembrance of their own, the birthday of their late son Michael. On Friday they had a chance to celebrate and remember Michael with his daughters, grandchildren, other family members and friends. Michael’s first birthday since his passing, I’m sure it was a very healing day for all. Something my sister Theresa desperately needed I’m sure. It was very good seeing all of them. We enjoyed each other’s company and laughed and joked while we spoke of bygone days. I just wish circumstances were such that I could see them more often, that it didn’t have to be such an event. I was for a moment a bit saddened when I realized that I could probably count on one hand the number of times I had left to be with my sisters. I let the sadness flow past me like a warm summer breeze and embraced what I could hold onto, if only for a short while, for soon I would be left with only memories. Sweet, sweet memories. But today was spent with my Son John, his wife Jerica, and my grandkids JeraLyn and Jase. Jonell made everyone’s favorite, chili, with Lydia’s help of course. Then everyone, except Lydia and JeraLyn who stayed behind to be with me, went out to do a little metal ‘tecting as Jase calls it. Jase ended up “discovering” a hidden treasure of sorts. A small metal box filled with various keepsakes of no particular value except to the young boy who had unearthed the time capsule. He pulled each item from the box with care and a sense of wonder and much joy. He speculated on who might have buried it and why. Jonell and I locked eyes and she gave a knowing smile. All and all, quite the successful and enjoyable day had by all. Although they could have done without all the seed ticks that managed to find them. I know this entire weekend will be a special memory for me. For Jase, today will be a day he will most definitely remember. Likely one he will grow to cherish all the days of his life. That was the plan anyway.
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