Family

So, a year ago today, I went out with my mom and dad and grand-father, to celebrate his birthday.  I showed up at my grandfather's house, wearing black slacks and a shimmery white blouse.  When he saw me he said, "Oh, pfff, you don't have to dress up, its just a birthday."  He didn't like a big fuss, but he liked to know the family was getting together, and he liked restaurants.

Today, he's not with us, but in honor of him, my aunts and uncles, parents, and I went out to eat at a place called Momentos.  It had a very enjoyable atmosphere, and reminded me quite a lot of some of the nicer places I went to in Italy.  I enjoyed talking to my family, which, if I had said that to the teenage me, or even the college-age me, I would not have believed you.  There was a time when I believed they were all insane.

But just like how in college, my mother suddenly became a wise and amazing woman in my eyes, somehow over the past 5 years, my view of my family has expanded to include the things they mean, rather than just the things they say.

It is interesting how time, experience, and memories of the past allow us to form and re-form our ideas.  It is amazing that we are all still growing, even when we are done growing physically.

I'm not exactly sure what the point of this is, except to say that I'm glad that what made my grandfather tick still beats in the hearts of the rest of his family.  I didn't get super dressed up, but I did wear a skirt, and as I was getting dressed, I did hear his voice in my head, "Aww pfff, you don't have to do that!"  Well, I want to.  It shows I care, to make a nice fuss over someone.

Happy Birthday Grandpa.