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What a weekend. There is just something about family coming together to socialize and enjoy each others company that makes it special. This past weekend was just such an occasion and if I could sum up the entire weekend into a single word, it would be "Epic".
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While the actual event didn't begin until Saturday, a bunch of us showed up Friday to get things started early. And in pure family fashion, as soon as there was word of alcohol and camp fires, everyone who could make it out joined us. I got to see a lot of family members I haven't seen in quite awhile including my cousin Brian who I haven't seen in 13 years. I also got to see a good family friend who I haven't seen in almost just as long. Needless to say, good times were had by all and I'm really glad I had the opportunity to go down and spend the weekend. The weather, despite calling for rain on Saturday, was fantastic, hot and sunny all the way up to Sunday when it finally started to rain, just as I was getting ready to tear down the tent. Let me just say that taking down tents isn't one of my favorite things to do and doing it in the rain makes it even less fun. Thankfully we have plans to go camping again next week so hopefully the weather is nice and I'm able to dry the tent out.
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Tradition: an inherited pattern of thought or action
As with most annual gathers, there are certain traditions that form. Despite this only being the 2nd annual family reunion, I think we already have a tradition or two in the works. Unfortunately one of the traditions is my fault and despite my strong objections, I did it again this year with some help from Juggs (thanks Juggs). What is this mysterious tradition I'm avoiding? Let me go back about a year when it all started. As with most family gathers on my mother's side, we tend to drink quite a bit of alcohol and do some crazy fun stuff. I was quite intoxicated and not of sane mind when my cousin Karl handed me his guitar he brought to the lake. I had no idea what I was doing and was simply asked to play "something", anything at all. I hesitantly took the guitar from his outstretched hand and strummed a few chords. The sounds of the guitar filled me as it usually does when I play and I was taken by a desire to play something. It was then that a certain song popped into my head and despite all my efforts, I couldn't shake it. I strummed the first chord and that's how it came to be that on a warm Saturday night with the campfire as my spotlight with the Loons singing backup that I sang to my entire family, an Adam Sandler tune entitled "Medium Pace". I played the guitar and sang the entire song, every word when I ended there was a brief moment of silence and then everyone clapped and cheered. I felt like a star.For those of you who know the song, I can feel your smiles already. For those who don't, I have provided you with a video so you can give it a listen; this isn't safe for work folks so make sure you've got some privacy.
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Now something like that isn't easily forgotten and that is why I had a feeling this year I would be roped into singing it again. Of course it wasn't until my cousin Karl showed up that all my fears became true. He stepped out of his truck and walked over to me with a big grin on his face; he knew I remembered and I could hear the words going through his head; Medium Pace! So there I was again, one year later finding myself on a warm Saturday night with the camp fire as my spotlight, screaming out the lyrics of Medium Pace again. Thankfully I had my buddy Juggs there to back me up and the two of us pulled the song off like champs. I felt good. I went over, sat down next my mother and she simply told me that would have been a song my grandfather would have really enjoyed. I agreed.
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Well folks, those are the highlights from my weekend. I'm sure there are others but thanks to alcohol, too much sun and jagged lake rocks, I don't recall much else worth writing about. I hope everyone had a great weekend and hope everyone has a great week.
Cheers,
Al
