Went home for the 4th of July. The 608ers decided to have a impromptu family reunion at McKinley Park. We drove. I was having a MS attack but we decided to go anyway. The drive there was spectacular as the mountain ranges we pass were filled with green and clean air. The ride itself took about 11 hours with several stops. We arrived at 608 in the evening after Peggy’s bedtime, but she was happy enough to see us to get out of bed and hang out with for about an hour. The next morning was filled with the hustle and bustle of preparations of barbeque and family gossip. The usual fires were burning within the family; somebody forgot chairs so Angie had to pick some up; someone forgot coals and lighter fluid so we had to pick those up also…wait a minute we have some in someone car and so on. Normally we would fight cuss and argue about every little thing we could find. From who left the light on in the bathroom to who told that we were smoking on the roof. Fighting become the determining factor of those who are independent and those who weren’t. It set the course of those us who would leave early and those who lingered. Those who would ask nothing and those who would ask much. Oddly there was no arguments or even discussions. Surprisingly, there wasn’t the bickering that usually happens in large families. This time, there wasn’t any thing unexpected. No one even flinched when our running-from-police-and-gangsters nephew showed up looking tired but fly. No one said anything about nieces we haven’t seen in while or the ones who were missing. (Where was that San Diegoan)? Of course, that one sibling did not bring anything to the picnic except extra people and her plead for money from Peggy. I often wonder if we should make her a cardboard sign to carry her around. “Will beg Mom for everything”. Yeah, she has a good state job, but still, she begs for everything a normal of earth would take care of if one had a job. but then again Peggy’s kids are never normal. But as I quoted throughout the day “Don’t expect anything and you won’t be disappointed”. I was not disappointed. The best was seeing Bill and Tony in the same spot at one time. One a man of the cloth one a man of the street. Both big brothers. I cannot say which I respect more. Bill cause he has always been there when we needed muscle or a quick response for a situation. Tony, who I barely know, I respect because of the cloth he carries and his children are some of my favorite people on earth. Willis and Peggy managed to be cordial to each other for once. They even sat by each other and ate. Mom sat under a tree and waited for everyone to come to her, while Willis was everywhere. We ended with Andrade Family Reunion t-shirts (that will soon be decorative pillows on my couch) and my suddenly missing purse being found. There were only two of us missing; one not invited because of his foolishness and the other invited but foolish enough not to show up. It was anti-climatic. There wasn’t any 608er drama going on. It was quiet and weirdly calm. I almost miss the chaos of our younger selves, when we was full of anger and disappointment. Willing and ready to fight each other for the slightest offense. But I said almost. Now we are all older and time has a way to calm even the most passionate ones. Peggy’s kids have never gotten along so well. I have to say…I am very proud of us….we made it through the day.
