Everyone talks about gratitude and most of us feel it in response to something good we get to be a part of. There are days when that sense of overwhelming, undeserved, isn’t-the-world-great overtakes all else and we wonder that such a thing should come to us.
That’s how I feel about being a part of my family.
We spent the weekend in Vancouver with our kids who are trekking off to places like Mexico and Winnipeg and eventually London and Europe for various reasons. I think we like to gather in a clump before we each fly off in different directions just so we can say a hearty good-bye and see you soon. We are doing some trekking of our own in a few days so the fare-thee-wells were appropriate all around.
Our son picked us up at the ferry and drove us around in his outback truck for a few last minute errands. We stopped in for a quick visit with our daughter-in-law who was working nearby. Next, he dropped us at James and Siobhan’s place where we cozied in, drinking gourmet tea and catching up with their news (my interest was specific to a new baby on the way!). Then we hopped on the #16 bus, bumped along W. Broadway and further to find one of Vancouver’s delicious culinary treats. The Burgoo on West 10th serves oh, so yummy Beef Bourguignon and Butter Chicken where we happily indulged our appetite for comfort food. Did I mention we eat well with this crowd?
Our daughter and her family arrived the next day so we ate lunch and set out together for a walk toward the sea. It didn’t matter that we ate cold rotisserie chicken and an ad hoc quinoa salad in a very tiny space. Nor did it matter that is was cold and rainy, or that Jericho Beach was overrun by large and soggy dogs. We were together and that was the important thing.
One wonder-full thing about this family is the laughter. There is always a lot of it for any reason or none at all. Little Brie is learning to engage in the hilarity in her own particular style. When Grandpa handed over his umbrella she said, “Thank you, Grandpa. Brie just like Christopher Robin!” We laughed and random people on the street joined in. The littlest walking umbrella ever, singing, “Tut, tut, it looks like rain.” 
That’s the thing about happiness. It is delightfully contagious.
Whenever I am with these people, I breath in the wonder and breath out deep gratitude.
Thank you each one for a lovely weekend and we wish you safe travels. You are always in our hearts and prayers.
From where I sit now, we look incredibly overdressed. It was so good to see you before we left. xoxo