Last weekend I went to Painter, Virginia for a 75th birthday party/family reunion. The party was for my grandmother’s cousin. Painter is on the Eastern Shore of Virginia for anyone who has never heard of it, which I am pretty sure, would be just about everyone. The party was at one of the honoree’s daughter’s houses which is on a creek-which my husband, who is from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, informed me is actually called a “gut”. Whatever that is.
The weather was horrendous and we drove the entire four hours in rain which varied from mist to absolute downpour. Thankfully they had planned ahead and got a large tent for the party, just in case. The weather unfortunately ruined plans for boat rides and most of the outdoor games. Even when it was not raining, just about the only people brave enough to venture from under the tents were the children. Who were all wet and muddy and I am glad the party was not at my house! But this is why I have decided to not have large parties ever again!
So it may seem odd that I would travel all that way for a party for my grandmother’s cousin. My husband was rather unclear on why we were going down there. Actually, when I was growing up, I was rather close with one of my (third) cousins from this extended part of the family. Her name is Tisha. So it was all very cute, Tisha and Tricia.
Tisha is two years younger than I am and we wrote to each other all through high school. I had a few other pen pals, including my cousin who had been tragically moved away to
But, since we are cousins, we are now all caught up. It seemed very strange to me that I had not seen or spoken to her in almost 20 years, and as soon as I got there, we looked at each other and both said “you haven’t changed at all”. I was very afraid I wouldn’t recognize her-people I went to high school with and saw every day for 4 years I don’t recognize. In the grand scheme of things, I didn’t ever see Tisha that much-but there she was and I knew it was her. She is married and has three sons. She only lives about two hours from me, according to her, although I have mapquested it and they disagree. (And yes, I think I just invented a word.)
Overall it was a very nice trip and I am happy we went. Tisha’s oldest sons and Brandon played all day long, badminton, in the rain, and were bummed that they aren’t able to just stop by and play video games. We stayed in a hotel close by and went back Sunday morning for breakfast. We traveled a long way to visit and they wanted to visit with us as much as we could.
Hopefully, we will be able to get back in touch and not have 20 years between the next time we see each other.
Well, it is getting late so I better go get some sleep. I don’t want to wind up catching whatever my husband has; apparently it is a terrible illness. ;->
