Generational gladness

Generations: the process of coming into being and bringing another into being, the span of time between the birth of parents and their offspring, a line of descendents.
I have been fortunate enough to have both sets of grandparents alive when I was 30 years old. I lost my grandpa (my dad's father) about five years ago, and then we lost my grandma (my dad's mother) last summer. I was able to spend a lot of time with my Dad's parents since they always lived in Indiana. I miss them greatly and have so many fond memories of them. My mom's parents are still alive and living in Texas. They have always lived in Texas while I grew up so I was not able to have as much time with them. My granny (mom's mother) and I have something very special in common. I was born on my granny's 40th birthday. My mom was very young when she had me which meant that my granny became a GRANDMOTHER much sooner than she maybe would have wanted. She told me a story about the day of my birth and said that the doctor came to see her after I was born and said, "Are you having a good birthday?" She said, "Not really, I became 40 and a grandmother all in the same day!" :)
Since I have not been able to spend much time with my Texas relatives, I decided to spend my birthday with my Granny this summer. It was a big event as my mom, my step-dad, my oldest niece and I crammed into a car to drive to Abilene, Texas. It was a 13 hour car ride and we made the most of it with the portable DVD player, books, funny car games and switching drivers to make it easier.
We spent time with my brother and his wife at a Rangers baseball game topped with 4th of July fireworks and we enjoyed some Texas BBQing with my cousin and her family.
The actual day of my birthday my Granny made me some homemade biscuits (my only request from her for my birthday), I beat my Grandad at a game of dominoes and we had a grand time telling old family stories.
It was so interesting watching my family and the different generations. One night we were all gathered around the living room telling tales. Lexy (my oldest niece who is 15 going on 21) is sitting beside me on the couch with her phone blowing up every 2 seconds from a new text. Her fingers are flying at the speed of light as she texts back and then lifts her head up to try to engage in the conversation. I roll my eyes and listen to the stories of my Grandad being obnoxious and I check my much less expensive phone to see if anyone has sent me a text, NOPE. I look over at my mom who is laughing and crying at the same time from the stories she is hearing about her Daddy. She makes a comment about how stubborn he was and how she is glad she never inherited that bullish attitude. We all laugh together because we know HER and we know BETTER! My granny is sitting next to my grandad just listening to him talk - she has probably heard this story 100 times yet she listens with the intensity like it is the first time. Grandad, who loves to be the center of attention, will look over at Granny every once in a while just to see if she is paying attention. He loves to talk, but he really is concerned with whether or not SHE is his audience.
There is a difference in the generations. The current generation is bombarded with the newest and the greatest technology. Anything to keep you pushing buttons and looking at a screen is the NEW form of communication. My generation is still addicted to technology, but there is that value in relationships and meeting others for coffee, face to face interaction. My mom's generation TRIES to use the technology, but most of their time and energy is spent on reading manuals and asking the kids how to use things. Her generation thrives on relationships and story telling. She remembers playing in the yard for hours and NOT getting bored. She remembers the value of a dollar and what strong morals can do to a family. My granny's generation is the one that I think we can learn the most from. Her generation knows technology exists, but doesn't have time, energy or patience to invest in a machine. Granny tells stories of hard work and true love at the age of 16. She shows me pictures of her and my grandad where the love they share is so evident it practically jumps off the page. I laugh as I see almost every picture has PDA (public displays of affection)! He is constantly holding her hand, or has his hand around her waist or draped over her shoulder. He was crazy about her back then and it is still evident as they are about to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Granny sits patiently next to her husband of 60 years. She smiles when he talks, she talks when she needs to and she lives her life devoted to God and to taking care of her husband and her family. I look around the room at the offpring of her and Grandad's hard work and love. I am PROUD to be part of THIS generation, but I am more proud to be a part of the Dozier/Skidmore family!

There's no place like home

Dorothy got it right as she was clicking those ruby red slippers chanting about her home sweet home in Kansas. There really is no place like it and I have to say that living overseas has helped this thought to become a reality.
I don't really have a HOME anymore. I am a vagrant traveler and I love the adventures I have been on over the past three years. I have a place of residence, but I really don't have a home. I have resided in Bolivia and am now an expat living in Seoul, South Korea. Even though I do not have four walls and a roof to call my own, every summer I have a strong yearning to be back in Indiana and spend time with my family and friends. The house where my parents now live is not the same house where I grew up, yet it is the summer memory maker, therefore it represents HOME to me.
I get to spend anywhere from four to six weeks at home every summer. For the past three years there are a few dates that I consistently circle on my calendar, the date when school starts, the date when school ENDS and the date in which I fly back HOME for the summer. When I arrive home (no matter how early or how late my flight arrives) my mom is always there to greet me. Pulling into the drive (usually at an ungodly hour) I notice the light on in the spare bedroom - the light illuminates from the room and I can see the oversized pillows and the cozy comforter from the street. I let out a big sigh and said, "It is so good to be home".
There is a comfort when you are in a place that you know is not your own, but you feel the freedom to raid the refrigerator or lay on the couch and curl up with a blanket. I have friends that have these inviting houses - I know I do not live there, but I have a soothing spirit cover me like a blanket and I know it is a safe haven, a peaceful resort, my hide away.
After a school year, most teachers know that our batteries are running pretty low by the time June rolls around. My family also is aware of this concept and whenever I arrive in Indiana, it is as if my family can see the blinking red light on my human batteries showing that the charge is almost empty. After a couple of home cooked meals, some time out walking in the sunshine and some family games, the battery light starts to read a little stronger. With some coffee and conversations with old friends, my human meter starts to flash RECHARGING. By the end of the summer after many family photos, softball games, pool parties and good ol' fashioned BBQ's - my battery is fully charged!
HOME is much more than a place where we lay our head at night or wake up to the smell of coffee brewing. HOME is a place where family and friends are together, HOME is a place where you feel comfortable just being yourself, HOME is a place where love and laughter abound.
Man, it is good to be HOME!