Roots

So Bob brought the family photographs with him this time. I've been asking him for years to do so, but he always forgets while he's packing his suitcase. So while Eric was on the phone with him just before he headed this way, I told him to remind his dad AGAIN about the photos. He did.

Yay.

I want my kids to have a sense of their heritage on all sides of the family. I have boatloads of pictures from my childhood and many, many photos of my ancestors. We have some nice frames on the wall with pictures from my side of the family, but nothing from Eric's. I realize I'm probably silly and sentimental, but I think it's really important to see where we came from and think about where we're headed, ya know?

We've had an enjoyable time poring over old pictures and Bob's been telling me little stories about them. For example, looking at a picture of Bob's dad standing in front of an old Chevy pickup in 1972 was okay, but then he told me the story behind it, making the photograph a treasure for the kids.

Seems that his dad had a very spoiled dog. Toby. (They still owned Toby in 1981 when Eric and I were in Louisiana for about six months.) Every day, Mr. Willie as his dad was called, would come home from work and take Toby for a ride in the car. Evidently Neda, Bob's mom, got tired of the dog hair all over the seat and put her foot down. NO MORE rides for Toby.

So Willie bought a pickup to take his dog for a ride every day. :-D

I found that humorous. Probably more than you do, because I knew those people.

Anyway, that's what we've been up to while Bob has been here.

Today we take him to the airport a little before noon. We won't see him again for another year.

It's been... hectic. But I am glad he comes to see the kids and that Eric and his dad got to spend this time together.

And glad that after today, I will be able to get up and have my wake up time in front of the computer in my t-shirt and sticky-upped hair.

It's less harmful than coffee, right? And more entertaining for the masses.