Every year I give myself a birthday present, sometimes it’s something big, sometimes something small, sometimes shoes, sometimes my favorite mascara. This year I gave myself the gift of family, I went to see my sister, she was the cake, that i got to see two nephews, their wives and my niece and her boyfriend, well that was icing.
Before anyone in Owasso reads this and gets upset I didn’t see them, I went specifically to see my sister, it has been so long since i have seen her. The last time was at our brother Jesse’s funeral, which was so long ago.
I haven’t seen my nephew Todd for a much longer period, I had not met his wife at all. There were all kind and gracious and welcomed both me and Stormie into their home. I got to visit and reminisce and learn new things about our family and friends.
I drove up there on Wednesday, Storm and I had an adventure, our first stop was the farm to drop off precious cargo. Stormie received a blowout by Elizabeth Anne, it literally snowed Husky fur, she also met the tortoises. After that we started our journey to Owasso, she is a good traveler and never complains about the podcasts or music I played.
We stayed at the Candlewood Suites in town and drove to Todd and Robby’s house to see everyone. In case you are wondering, yes, my family offered to let me stay with them, but I am very conscious of traveling with a dog and do not want to put anyone out. So hotel living it is, which is nice but weird these days. I have stayed there before and the amenities were much more. I wonder if they are having a hard time filling positions as housekeeping only comes once a week. Don’t get me wrong the employees were very nice and advised me if I needed more towels or anything to just go to the front desk and let them know.
I also had to search for the coffee for the coffee maker, the coffee wasn’t in the room, of course I can always ferret out coffee. No fears in that department, I did have a moment of panic, I admit it, the thought of no coffee upon immediately waking was terrifying.
For my actual birthday I was taken to a local Mexican food restaurant and it was good, and they sang to me. I was surrounded by 5 very good looking men and a sombrero was put on my head and they sang to me. All in all a good time was had by all.
I very literally had the best birthday I have had in awhile, I was in a place with people that have the same shared experiences, knows all of the same people I grew up with and never once told me they heard my stories a thousand times. Even my niece’s boyfriend grew up around the area and knew the same people we did, it was a lively, fun time.
We went to the cemetery to put flowers on people we love and miss graves, mom, dad, Jesse, baby Darrin, Michael and David. David was a friend of my ex-husband’s step brother, did you get all of that? I believe, and I am not 100% sure, he passed away in a car accident. He was a sweet boy and died way too young, he is buried by my son Michael. I have pictures of David holding Michael.
We then went to lunch with my nephew Chris and his wife and children, once again great conversation and good food.
I spent my birthday in the best way possible, I feel closer to my sister and got to reconnect with my nephew Todd. We were always super close and had so much in common, it’s almost like we are related (ha).
What does all of this mean, you might ask, well it does mean one can go home again, home is where your heart is. It is not a building, or place, it is the people, and if you have the right people you can go home.
Then Stormie and I came home, we did the unforgivable when coming to Texas, we brought cold with us. I hope the state can survive.
I then spent Valentine’s day with my beautiful twin granddaughters, I just don’t think a day could be more perfect, well, if Tess had been there, then it would have been nirvana. I pick her up today and will be meeting Elizabeth Anne for late lunch early dinner. Linner as it were, I like having that meal because I don’t like eating too late at night. Linner is perfect.
I hope you all have a great day and I hope everyone that reads this has a great birthday this year.
Angie World 