Execption to the Rule

It had been two years since I last was in Monroe with my family, sharing Thanksgiving together. I’d missed them.

I got to return this year, and re-visit familiar smells, accents, and stories. It felt so good to hug my Gran and Grandaddy and tell them how much I love them. My cousins are all grown up and are at the age where they enjoy taking care of my niece and nephews the way I used to take care of them.

Cousin Ian is not a teenager anymore. He lives a train ride away from me (getting his art degree at Sarah Lawrence) and we lamented how we have to travel all the way to Monroe to actually see each other. We promised we’d make an effort to change that.

His sister Claire left nyc (and the dream of acting) a couple months ago and has been frolicking in Scotland with her grandparents, enjoying her mother’s roots. I missed her at Thanksgiving, and miss her now.

It was good to see Auntie Allison. Donning a fresh scar on the right side of her face that forms a backward 7 from the edge of her eye to mid-cheek, she brings new meaning to the term “hard-core.” Her accident with the tree and the fall that broke her thumb is not enough to keep her off the bike. She’s committed to what she loves; I like that about her.

I came across a green binder with my name on it our first night there. Inside, I found all my blog posts printed out in order. My mom told me that gran takes them with her to share with her bridge club. I nearly cried. “My gran is proud of me.”

My mom’s cousin Barbara joined us this year, adding a new twist to our family traditions. She said the reason she wanted to come was because she read my post about my last Harkey Thanksgiving . I hope it lived up to her expectations. We all enjoyed her company. She got to witness the intense scrabble and board games, the clashing of rivalries in the UT/A&M game, and community naps. In honor of tradition, Uncle Matt prepared the bonfire on the levy in which we snacked on S’mores and sang every ridiculous camp song we could think of, as loud as we could.

My favorite moment of the whole weekend by far was when the entire family circled up to pray around the living room, holding hands. Before I bowed my head, I took note of what an incredible gift this was. Twenty plus people, who love each other so much, and share a strong love for the Lord, giving thanks to Him who made them family.

I’m aware this is not the norm, and I’m so grateful we Harkeys are an exception to the rule