Tag: Family

068 // The Morning After and Goodbye

Considering the number of drinks I had last night I’m doing surprisingly well this morning. I’m up late, sure, but I’m up. The headache is minor but my limbs are very sore. That has nothing to do with the drinks and instead everything to do with the children left in my charge last night. They were heavy and wild, jumping into my arms and running me ragged through the night.

There was plenty of dancing too, which I think is why my feet hurt so much, but I’m not complaining. It was worth it to be last on the dance floor with my sisters. We were carefree, sipping our last drinks and requesting all of our favorites. It devastated us that the party had to end, but I’m making a mental note for my own wedding this summer that there must be an after party planned for those who want to hold on to the night just a little longer.

We said goodbye to my sister and her kids this morning after brunch. I’m glad we got just a little more time together, but I’m always sad to see them go. Life is better when we are all together, but I understand why they needed to move away. They needed to see a new place and to find independence. They wanted to start a new life, not just for them but for their kids, and their kids’ kids, and for generations to come.

I envy them; I disagree with them, but most of all I just miss them.

These entries are inspired by Thord D. Hedengren

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067 // A Big Day, but Not Mine

Today is the big day! Not our big day, but my brother’s and I couldn’t be happier, more excited, or more stressed out for him.

I’m spending the morning with my mother, my sister who flew in from Texas and her kids. Our other sister is a bridesmaid, so she is with the wedding party and my fiance is the photographer and is documenting the happy couple as they get ready.

I’m tired and anxious, ready to get to the ceremony and ready to get through the night. Being the sister of the groom is a weird position. You’re important, but your role is less than if you were the sister of the bride.

I don’t know what my role is, but I’m desperate to find one, to be useful and to stay busy.

We’ve come to the end of a beautiful night. I had much more fun than I expected to and this is the first wedding that I can honestly say I was sad to see it end though; I hope it won’t be the last. It was beautiful, but it wasn’t mine.

That isn’t to say mine will be better, because I don’t think it will, but it will be mine and sometimes we love something more for our possession of it alone.

Soon.

These entries are inspired by Thord D. Hedengren

049 // It’s Good to Be Home

It feels good to be home, but not so good to have to go back to work and responsibility. I wish I’d gotten to stay away longer and that’s probably why I spent today doing very nearly nothing, and why I’ll have to spend tomorrow cleaning the house, doing laundry, and catching up on my reading and finishing a few blog posts and pages.

But tonight, I’m doing nothing. I’m lounging on the couch, wrapping myself in blankets and eating nothing but snacks. I’m binge-watching The Umbrella Academy on Netflix and wasting all my time on social media.

I promise not to regret a single thing.

These entries are inspired by the journal posts of Thord D. Hedengren

048 // Bittersweet Goodbyes

As I write this we are some hours still from home but in only a few minutes today will turn into tomorrow. I have no cell phone signal and when I get home I plan to sleep through most of the next day. I’ll post this and backdate it when I’m awake or whenever I remember.

Brunch this morning was bittersweet. It was sweet to be so surrounded by so much love, but it didn’t for a second ease the bitterness of our goodbyes.

I’m happy to have finally seen Texas, even if it was only a small part. I guess I saw that parts that were most important for me to see. It’s a place I thought I could never like but to see the palm trees and all that green in the middle of February was so beautiful and uplifting. The warmth and humidity did my skin and soul so much good and though the thought occurred to me, I will probably never live there.

Perhaps a visit every winter is all I need?

These entries are inspired by the journal posts of Thord D. Hedengren

047 // Suprise!

Today is the day. We’ve been planning it for weeks and I spoke to no one out of fear of ruining everything. This weekend we—my mom, my youngest sister, my girlfriend, and I—drove all the way to Texas to surprise my our sister and her family for her 30th birthday celebration!

It was a long drive (over 15 hours!) and it’s going to be a long drive back starting tomorrow morning but it was so worth it. I only wish we had more time but with work and our poor pets back in Denver missing is we just couldn’t stay. Maybe next time when our jobs aren’t so pressing and the weather is warmer.

The party turned out beautifully and afterward, there was a late dinner to sit down and catch up properly. We’re going to bed late again but it can’t be helped. We have to fill the precious hours with as much as we can.

We miss each other more than we readily admit.

These entries are inspired by the journal posts of Thord D. Hedengren

026 // Pleasant Surprises

Some days you will wake up thinking you have it all planned out, that you know what the day will bring and what you will do in turn but some days you will step out of your door and at every step the day will refuse to cooperate, some in bad ways, and some in the most beautiful and surprising ways.

I had hoped to write today and to finish reading my book, but when I stepped out that door to make a quick visit with my family I was surprised in the most amusing and beautiful way. I was reminded that I am loved, that I have a place, and that I am far from alone. I was reminded that I am free to be me, always. I was reminded that I have a family that is actively healing through laughter and the sharing of vulnerabilities.

Life is complicated. People are complicated. They are cruel and stupid, and they rarely mean the things they say and do. Time, effort, and forgiveness can—sometimes, if we’re very lucky—heal the wounds between people.

Today I was reminded that I am lucky.

Today I was reminded to be grateful.

These entries are inspired by the journal posts of Thord D. Hedengren

013//365

My little brother called me today. He called to tell me about his plans and big dreams and to ask me if I thought they were at all possible. Of course, I told him yes, and, of course, I meant it, and I was surprised to find that all the while I felt like I was saying it too myself too.

I admit, even though he’s younger than me I wish I could be more like him. I wish I had his ambition, his energy, and his positive outlook. I think sometimes I need to hear from him as much as he needs reassurance from me.

(It’s nice to know he still needs me but being the oldest can make you a little bitter too. It’s hard not to have someone to give you the guidance that you are called on to give again and again. Life isn’t fair, but every side of the fence is green in its own way I suppose.)

Maybe as we age it helps to keep the younger generation close, to keep us hoping and dreaming with them. Maybe there is value in youth we lose sight of as we progressively value experience more and more. Maybe there really is something in each of use to respect, admire, and look up to, regardless of age, wisdom, life experience, or lack thereof.

These entries are inspired by the journal posts of Thord D. Hedengren