JenniMarie

You know that feeling when you’re standing on the cliff of a mountain? Looking down over the valley below and soaring on the ecstasy of a successful hike, the thrill of a breath-taking view, and the adrenaline of being so near the edge?  Thats me. Right now.

Not only am I teetering on the brink of accomplishing several personal goals, I am also fiiiinnnaaallly beginning Labor Day Weekend 2010.  After counting down to this weekend of fun for – um – many months, its finally here.

So here I am. Successfully accomplished the hike, enjoying the view, and watching the horizon.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to write this post all day long.  But the words I try don’t do this justice. So after work, I went on a run. Through the park. In the hot sun. Trying to get the words to flow. Then I went shopping. Wandered the mall, thinking about this blog post and composing it in my head. Didn’t buy anything, and didn’t find the words. I came home and made supper. Sat and listened to music while eating my stir fry. I grabbed a lollipop and sat down at the computer, licking the stickiness and trying to process all these thoughts.

I can’t imagine Dad being gone for a year, serving his country at the battlefront. I can’t imagine Mom having to hold the household together and keep everything running while he’s away. I can’t fathom being the daughter who needs her daddy, but he’s thousands and thousands of miles away. I’m not sure what it would be like to be the son who watches his dad head overseas.  As I said before, I admire this family more than I can describe. And – last night – I got to see them all together again. Finally reunited.

It did my heart good.

When I first browsed through the pictures I’d taken and tried to get some images online as the sneak peek for poor [im]patient family, I couldn’t do it. I literally sat at my computer and stared at their happy smiles, marveling at what the past year has probably been and rejoicing with them now that they are together. I had to stop. I couldn’t see the computer screen. [Long pause] There I do it again. Get all emotional just thinking about it all.

Dad grabbed Mom’s hand and just held it, waiting for me to direct them where to stand. Hand-in-hand worked just fine, thankyouverymuch.

Katie sat on the chair, waiting for me to take her picture. Dad looked over at her and smiled: “Give me about a hundred of those. That’s perfect! My girl.”

David grabbed the swing when Mom asked him to: “Those are my favorite memories of your childhood,” she said. “You and that swing.”

Daniel went to help Grandpa out of the house for his turn in the spotlight. He gently eased him down the stairs, cautious yet strong.

Now that’s a family.