Fadedwords

I want everyone to meet Willie.

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I grew up in a town that is about 15 minutes away from Great Escape, which started out as a very small, kitschy amusement park.  It was the first place I rode a roller coaster (I was 15, I dropped the f-bomb and apologized to my Dad while we were going through the first t loop).  It was a place that had these adorable little fairy tale houses, a western themed village, and a scrambler that was in the dark.  Since I was a kid, the park has been purchased by Six Flags and has expanded quite a bit.

I hadn’t been in probably 8-10 years, and mentioned to my cousin Jamie that I wanted to go while I was home.  She immediately jumped on board and said she and Max, her son, would love to go with me.  I was excited, knowing that the park would be fun anyway… but it would be even more fun with Jamie and Max.  Something that has upset me about living so far from home for the past 8 years (college, grad school, and moving to NC) is that I haven’t had a big chance to get to know Max.  This trip I have been so thankful that he now knows who I am and we’ve been able to hang out a little. (more on this later)

We spent the morning and afternoon at the park, and had a great time acting like 10 year olds.  I often wish there were more days like this in my life, spent with these people because I love them so much.  For now, though, I will simply cherish these days.

Me with Max, on the Steamin’ Demon… the infamous roller coaster that I cursed on.

Me, Jamie, and Sasquatch.  I can’t really explain what’s going on here without a whole blog post… and in the end you had to be there.  But I love this girl.

This day gave me so many wonderful memories of laughter, silliness, and fun.  I hope that Jamie, Max and Michael (her hubby, my cousin) will come to NC at some point over this next year.  I can just imagine the shenanigans we can get into then!

One of the reasons I made the trip home was to be able to go to the family reunion, which took place last night.

This is me and Jamie.  She is my cousin Mike’s wife, and someone I love as if she was my sister.  We always have so much fun together, and I often wish that she lived in NC… or I lived back in NY so we could see each other more often.

Me and my Uncle Lenny.  There really aren’t enough words to explain just how much I love this man.  He has been a consistent source of support, love, and just awesomeness in my life.  I’m excited to plan a trip to Daytona to visit him and my Aunt Chris sometime this fall.

Me with Michael, my most wonderful cousin.

There are many photos from last night that I will cherish forever.  Photos of my Uncle Harry with his grandchildren.  Photos of my Aunt Jeannie and Uncle Lenny laughing together.  There are memories of stories being told and laughter being shared.  There are plans of seeing people in the near future, and I can’t wait.  I am thankful that one of the outcomes of my cousin Brad’s death has been my family coming together.  It is a very positive outcome of a very tragic loss, and I choose to focus on that.

I’m happy that I have plans to have a cookout with Jamie and Mike later this week, as well as a haircut.  Then on Saturday I will be going to Great Escape with Jamie, Max (her son) and Bonnie (her mom).  Definitely stuff to look forward to.

Plane Ticket: $250

3am Wake-up call: (that was really 2am because of a storm) $1090909098098 (exhaustion is expensive)

Showing up at my Mom’s office and surprising her two days after her birthday: Priceless

Hey, everyone!  Listen up.

Are you listening?  I can wait.

Alright, listening yet?

Fantastic!  I have some very, very important information to share with you.  So get out your calendars, your listening ears, and your ability to be incredibly excited.

Today is an exceptionally important day.  I’m sure you’re already aware of what it is, but for anyone who doesn’t, I want to share with you what’s going on.

Today is my very awesome, very amazing, beautiful, brilliant, superb, fantastic, totally wonderful Mom’s BIRTHDAY!  Seriously.  You should send her presents, because she deserves them.  Not only is she a super lady in general, but she’s put up with me for nearly 30 years… and she added my brother to that equation 21 years ago.  She deserves sainthood for all that, but instead you can send her gifts and let her know that she is truly amazing.

Mom- I love you so, so much.  I wish I could be there to take you out, and show you just how much.  I hope that Dad and Sean do a good job doing that in my place.  Just remember that I love you and that I know I have the best Mom ever.  You deserve to have the most outstanding birthday, and I hope you do.

Love you!