![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cptntillerThis weekend my cousin Courtney got married. The wedding itself happened yesterday, but this entire weekend has been a celebration of her big moment, and of my family as a whole. Friday night found all of the cousins in my generation [about 20] and some aunts and uncles at my aunt becky and uncle woody's house. We gathered and began with conversation, beer, and wine, catching up and bubbling happily. Then my sister discovered the stereo and the harry belafonte cd. Harry Belafonte has a rich position in my family. We all know all the lyrics. I don't know if that's common or normal, but I doubt it is. I have some very specific memories involving that man. For example, waiting for a trip to the antigua, my sister, courtney, her sister breanne [my age] when I was in what must have been 7th or 8th grade - the year of the airline strikes. It was 5 am and we had been in the airport for many many hours. All of a sudden, we just started singing "Day-O" loudly and exuberantly. Some people stared as they walked past, some people joined in. We were having a great time. I can also remember Courtney and Jacin squeaking out Ma-Til-Da! Regardless of why or how we know it all, we all do. And an impromptu dance/sing-along party broke out. Harry Belafonte turned into Billy Joel, bled into Boston, faded into Grease, flowed into a plethora of other songs, and everyone danced and talked and made asses of themselves. In the best way possible.
That's whats so great about my family. Image isn't important, we can not see each other for months and we're still there for each other. Insane? Inquestionably. But still there, and goofy. We can convene and just do whatever. The only family I know where one can receive underwear as a gag-gift and promptly place it on their head. Where an aunt will place asparagus in their mouth a-la a walrus, and then everyone will join in. And you know when things get serious the support will be just as firm.
Yesterday was the wedding... and it was wonderful. The ceremony was beautiful, and the reception was filled with conversation, frivolity, and dancing. EVERYONE danced at some point, the band played happily and well, and the drinks and food flowed like honey. I can't describe the community appropriately. I'll underdescribe it. But it's just so awesome. And many of them have taken the time to note to me how happy they are for me. Afterwords a plethora of cousins and myself wandered to a bar. And continued the evening.
This morning, my parents prepared a luscious, huge brunch for the family. Muffins and eggs and sausage and biscuits with gravy. And everyone came over and we shared and talked and chatted for yet another time into the afternoon. Now it is time for me to head into Boston, but I wanted to share the wonderfulness that is my family, and express it to remember. I can't get over what an insanely huge, cohesive unit we are. Sure they drive me crazy at times, and I drive them crazy too. But no matter what, we're family, and a pretty good one at that.
Did I mention they're insane. Oh. And we are insane.
Peace and love to y'all.
That's whats so great about my family. Image isn't important, we can not see each other for months and we're still there for each other. Insane? Inquestionably. But still there, and goofy. We can convene and just do whatever. The only family I know where one can receive underwear as a gag-gift and promptly place it on their head. Where an aunt will place asparagus in their mouth a-la a walrus, and then everyone will join in. And you know when things get serious the support will be just as firm.
Yesterday was the wedding... and it was wonderful. The ceremony was beautiful, and the reception was filled with conversation, frivolity, and dancing. EVERYONE danced at some point, the band played happily and well, and the drinks and food flowed like honey. I can't describe the community appropriately. I'll underdescribe it. But it's just so awesome. And many of them have taken the time to note to me how happy they are for me. Afterwords a plethora of cousins and myself wandered to a bar. And continued the evening.
This morning, my parents prepared a luscious, huge brunch for the family. Muffins and eggs and sausage and biscuits with gravy. And everyone came over and we shared and talked and chatted for yet another time into the afternoon. Now it is time for me to head into Boston, but I wanted to share the wonderfulness that is my family, and express it to remember. I can't get over what an insanely huge, cohesive unit we are. Sure they drive me crazy at times, and I drive them crazy too. But no matter what, we're family, and a pretty good one at that.
Did I mention they're insane. Oh. And we are insane.
Peace and love to y'all.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-09-06 06:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-08 02:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-08 02:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-06 06:48 pm (UTC)I am at an odd place in my family ... the youngest (by 10 years) in my generation, my sister is 15 years older than me. So gatherings are a little out-of-sorts (no fault of anyone).
no subject
Date: 2009-09-08 02:29 pm (UTC)They are a great bunch, and I love them dearly.
I'm the second youngest in my generation, but I have plenty nearby, luckily. The oldest is 40.
I can understand how that would make things a bit off. Hope you two get along regardless, though.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-11 04:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-11 04:21 am (UTC)Who?
no subject
Date: 2009-09-08 02:29 pm (UTC)We're welcoming.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-09 02:09 am (UTC)And my god, Breanne... I think I was in Nursery School with her or something... Easter Egg hunt at her house seems to ring a bell. How's she doing?
Sounds like a great time (between this and the facebook albums anyway.) Congrats to Courtney & her husband.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-10 08:15 pm (UTC)And they DID have easter egg hunts FOREVER ago.
She's well thanks!
It was wonderful.