Catching up

Let’s consider this a catch up blog entry today. So much to say!

As you know, my nephew, Shane, was just here visiting. He is all grown up now. 24 years old, gorgeous, intelligent, plans for the future, polite, well spoken, diverse tastes…you name it. We are quite proud of him. It seemed like I was waiting at the airport forever for him to round the corner and head toward me. My friend was dealing with my frantic texts as I nervously squinted down the bridge. I gave him such a huge hug I thought I was going to suffocate him. He hugged me just as tightly in return.

When we were driving home I kept asking him more and more questions. He entertained every one of them and even told me to ask more. I was so excited that I ended up going 59 in a 50 mph zone. Lights flashed and I got a 1 point $98 ticket. I just wanted to greet Shane with flashing lights. He felt so bad about it. The cop fingerprinted me too. Is that weird? No one else I know has ever had that happen. Well, I didn’t cry, I didn’t argue, I just grinned from ear to ear because Shane was here. The cop probably thought I was as insane as the mad hatter.

My mother freaked the hell out when she saw him. She cried, she couldn’t breathe, she was in shock, she was elated. It was crazy.

While he was here he and I chatted a little about his parents. He asked if we ever talk about the family situation and I asked the same in return. We do, they don’t. My brother never mentions us. I asked Shane if he could ever imagine not talking to or seeing his brother for ten years, possibly more, and he couldn’t. He said he just didn’t get the whole thing. He asked me questions about why it happened in the first place with his grandmother. All he knew was that it was something with Sonny, but that was all. I told him some stuff. I was extremely brief about it. It is his grandmother after all. He said he didn’t understand her and why she does the things she does. As the weekend went on more statements were made.

Now, my mother on the other hand…(sigh) She thought it was completely appropriate to talk smack about my brother to his son. She felt it necessary to air the dirty laundry to him. She put him in some awkward positions. A few times he looked at me to get some sort of reassuring glance. I provided what I could and then finally just said, “hey, Shane’s here now so let’s focus on his visit!” He seemed relieved. I also insisted on Shane staying with us, which bothered my mother. Honestly, between the amount of cigarette smoke in her apartment, Sonny calling every 30 minutes and the lack of boundaries that she has it seemed in his best interest. I think it was a good choice.

We had a great time with him. We enjoyed having him here so much. I just hope we don’t have to wait another 10 years or more to see him again. It did bring up a lot of memories of my brother. Shane has the exact same mannerisms, laugh, sense of humor. It’s almost creepy. It made me miss Mike. The big stupid jerk. I recalled a lot of stories from when we were younger and shared them with Shane. He got a kick out of them. We also showed him a few pictures we had of Mike when he was a kid. In one he had some weird Trump hair thing going on which Shane promised to tease his dad about. We really wanted to treat him to a good time. We ended up spending way more money than I originally had in my head, but I guess that’s always what happens. It was a bummer to see him go but it had to end sometime. I am thankful for the four days we had.

Switching gears…there are 46 days until my birthday. That means 46 days until my party. Who’s excited? Come on now! I can’t hear you! I talked my mother into spending money on some food for the party instead of a gift for me. After her birthday and Shane being here some of my party money has decreased. I’m not going to worry about it because even if we end up with just cake and pizza it’s going to be a blast!!

I’ve been getting some music together, my friend is getting a banner made, I’ve been collecting prizes here and there for games…it’s going to be fun!!!

I’m so excited!