As a matter of fact, pretty much any holiday or momentous occasion or even just a Sunday afternoon meant cake and ice cream with the family. I was blessed to grow up literally surrounded by my relatives. We'd find any reason we could to get everyone together and stuff ourselves silly. In a backyard or a kitchen (usually Gramma's) we'd gather and eat and eat and laugh. All of our favorite desserts were there: strawberry cheesecake, peanut butter bars, marshmallow fudge brownies . . . and nobody consumes buckets of ice cream like the Nielsens! I remember always having Neopolitan ice cream so that the kids could order the colors they wanted, "I'd like brown and pink, please!" Then the kids would run around like crazy in the backyard if it was warm weather; if it was cold they'd huddle around Gramma's big orange crayon box and color the night away.
Now my siblings and I are older and the case is the same with many of the others. Quite a few of the cousins have families of their own. The older (and more numerous) we got, the less frequently we got together. Now our family and the other families with married children spend more time with our own, new generations - making traditions, eating and laughing. We always went to Gramma's, though, about once a month. Any reason was good. We'd sing Happy Birthday to everyone who'd had a birthday that month, all of us yelling out something like "HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR kaileejakenoahmaddiejonaharleypambradenandtaylarrrrrrr (GASP) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUU!"
Now that I live so far away from my family, I really think about that kind of stuff a lot. I have my new family here, but they are definitely a much smaller, quieter bunch. I am very happy to tell you that tonight (most of us) got together for cake and ice cream for my brother-in-law's birthday. I definitely felt right at home . . . and my sweet tooth felt extremely satisfied.
One of my favorite things is a house that has just finished a good party:
the seats pushed away from the table,
the leftovers still around for the nibbling,
the dishes set aside to be washed after the company has been enjoyed,
the family in a sleepy and giggly state
and the babies (in this case, Judge) all tuckered out from the excitement.
It's as if the place is inside a giant bubble that keeps out all the cares of the world. For that short time, it's bliss. You may even call it "a little slice of heaven." Cliche as it sounds, I'm pretty sure it's the truth.
(That's a magnolia from right outside my bedroom window!
My wonderful mother-in-law cut it and put it in some water for us. Isn't it pretty?)
4 comments:
Those times are some of the best times ever. Cake and ice cream, children screaming, parents laughing and talking (and sometimes screaming at the kids). I would have to agree. A little slice of heaven.
Are you guys going to make it for the Fourth of July?
i'm jealous of the magnolia. that's just beautiful,... and right outside your window. DANG. that's just awesome. sorry to hear you're missing being here though and glad that cake makes you feel better. you should eat more of it. :)
I never knew how much my family meant to me until I got married, and moved out. And now I can't wait for family gatherings!
I love your little puppy... how cute!
I've never had as much fun in my life as I did at your family's 4th of July shin dig. It was the best.
My family is like that with the birthday dinners too, we just sing Happy Birthday to everyone who's had a birthday since the last get together.
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