Dear Diary,
Grandma Amaryllys is 80! There's nothing like a big birthday celebration to get my priorities back in check. We went to Uncle (really, Great Uncle) Lyle's on Cormorant Lake. It was beautiful, even if I was a couple hours late -- I was directionally challenged...
Besides that, it was great seeing my family -- members of different generations spending time together. I went tubing with cousins (which was more like tubing bumper cars). I'm sure feeling the pain now; I fell three times.
We also played Pinochole (my favorite!). I love it because there are so many people who love to play; I'm usually the weird one begging my siblings to play with me. Dana (my eight-year-old cousin) sat next to me. She sorted my cards, while learning how to play, and was working on a knotted hemp necklace. She used my toe to hold the strings in place. My second cousin Katie and I reminsced about our first time playing Pinochole; we took on my dad and Uncle Lyle and smoked 'em. I still believe it wasn't beginner's luck! We're good!
Then I sat next to Grandma. We started talking about the skits I missed (being late and all) and how much fun we were having. She said, "Alexis, I just want you to be happy. That's my story and I'm sticking to it." She told me how proud she is of me and how happy she was the day I was born because she was FINALLY a grandma. She said she brought pictures and chocolates to her office when she got back from her visit (we lived in California). A few months later when we visited, she said she took me around to show everyone.
It's amazing how she said exactly what I needed to hear. I feel like I've been a bad granddaughter. I haven't taken the time to write, call, or even visit her. I'm averaging about 1-2 times a month now. I communicated with her more when I lived in another country!
I'm going to take the time to connect with Grandma and my extended family more not because I feel like I have to, but because I need to.
Love, Princess