Labor Day

A few weeks back, I called Aunt Lavonia to tell her that I knew she really wanted  to throw an end of the summer bash since she hadn’t had one all summer.  She graciously agreed that she had been thinking that and told me to plan it.  After some delays, I got started.  I had such plans for Saturday, then I woke up and knew, felt a cold coming, but I had to preserve.

I got dressed, then went over to Aunt Linda’s to get her grill.  We loaded it into the minivan, then it was off to Aunt Lavonia’s.  Except Aunt Lavonia wasn’t home.  I hoped she was just out running a quick errand, 30 minutes later, nada.  I called and found out she was on the other side of town, running a quick errand.  Out with the grill, coals, and lighter fluid, hopefully hidden from the wandering eye and then it was off to that evil place, Wal-Mart.  I returned some things and saw chips on sale.  I didn’t have any appetizers so I bought them.

I stopped at the store to get a few things for the house, then home to discover workers everywhere.  Today was the day to replace the countertops in the kitchen.  Thankfully the kids were dressed.  I ran to the bank in the heat for my mom, where I got a call from my aunt to stop by her house to pick up her dish for the bbq.  I could feel the time  - - tick tock, tick tock.  Fine, I’ll go get the food.  When I got back home, my mom told me I had to stop by and pick up my other aunt.  It was nearly 11AM.  The bbq started at 1PM.  I still had to cook my food.  Then Aunt Lavonia called to ask when I was coming over.  Deep breaths.  Deep breaths.  It’ll be okay. 

As the kids head to the car, my mom decided this would be the perfect time to send every and any item she could find to take to her sister’s house.  We get it in the car and drive quickly to Aunt Carol’s.  She handed me the pan full of ribs, which were hot.  I asked for some towels and I placed the pan on them and prayed they would keep the pan stable as I drove.  My kids weren’t old enough to hold the pan even with the towels.  I bade her goodbye and went to pick up Aunt Brenda only to see her get in a car with someone else.  Are you kidding me?!  But once she saw us, she decided to ride with us.  Good attitude, not a snarky one.  Good attitude, not a sarcastic comment.

We got to Aunt Lavonia’s and we got everything out of the car and then it was time to grill and cook.  The food turned out well, there was more than enough food.  I walked out of the kitchen to give a grilling Vandy some more meat and I took a breath and took in the scene.  My aunts and uncle playing a card game on the patio, while keeping an eye on TTT in the pool.  I was one blessed chick, until my daughter decided to poop in the pool.  But God wouldn’t even let her laziness (did she fear the pool was going to disappear if she got out to go to the bathroom?) ruin the day.  The kids got out of the pool, the pool cleaner guy told us what to do and told us he’d be over in an hour or less.  He came over did his magic and said the kids could be back in within forty-five minutes.

After a few rounds of “Mother, May I?” and some racing games, we decided music was missing.  I turned it to the country station on the cable station but then I turned to a soft music station.  That was nice, but not great.  Then I flipped around and found the 90s station.  I had hit pay dirt.  My childhood came flooding back.  Was there anything better than cleaning a kitchen while singing songs you haven’t sung since high school or in college?  Dancing with children to good music they will never hear the likes of?  Nope, there wasn’t.

We stayed long past the sun going down and a good time was had by all.  Yes, indeed, I am one blessed chick.  Good food, great music, and the best God-fearing family ever to love me.