Family - good food, good times

How did we get to the weekend again so soon?

It was a gray day here yesterday and I was in a gray mood. Rather than spread that mood among you, I chose not to post. Instead I curled up with a book, some chocolate and my TV and wallowed in that mood. Things did look brighter this morning.

We had a family party to attend today and saw many family and friends we haven't seen in a while. Our niece graduated from grad school two weeks ago. She is now a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and she received her Masters in Public Health, too. She's worked very hard for years to accomplish this and we are very proud of her. She now has to select from among several job offers. All have been good offers which makes it difficult for her to choose.

We had a full day of food and chatter and wrapped the evening up with about ten of us stragglers sitting around a candle-lit table in the backyard, playing a word game for a couple of hours. Everyone else had gone home and just a few of the immediate family were still hanging in there. It took me back a few years to when these kids were young teens and we'd sit around playing Boggle, Trivial Pursuit and other games. Back then family events made up a huge portion of our "social life" and we have many fond memories of those times (as evidenced by the many tales we told and laughed at today!!)

I believe I fully understand the circle of life concept at times like this, when you look around and realize we've become the "older" generation and the kids are now becoming parents themselves. The get-togethers remain the same but the faces change and the circle grows. And it feels pretty good.

I hope y'all take some time to truly enjoy some family time this weekend.