Family

This 4th of July weekend I was lucky enough to get Sunday evening and all of Monday off.  Against better judgement I allowed my Aunt to persuade me to go home for a quick visit.  Upon arrival, I remembered why I hate going home.


I remember thinking on the way there how nice it was going to be to see my Mom and Dad, spend a quiet few hours in conversation get some much needed sleep, home made breakfast, a little bit more conversation or some shopping in with mom.  But no.  As we pull around the corner or their mile long drive way I see my Grandmother's car.  I remember saying to my self  "aww FUCK!"  I love my grandmother very much, she is a very wonderful Lady.  The catch in the situation is that there are only 2 extra beds in the house.  So if my aunt and I drive up, I get a bed and she gets the other.  However, if my Grandmother is there, then I respectfully take the couch.  So my Aunt and Grandmother get the two room upstairs. 


My mom and dad are up until around 2 am.  Normally, so am I, so that really is not the problem.  However, my Grandmother gets up at 7 am.  Now you see the problem.  The living room turns into Grand Central Station around 6 am.  Mom gets up to let the dogs out, dad gets up to feed the horses.  They get to go back to bed and sleep another 3 hours.  My grandmother is in the kitchen reading the paper, making coffee, talking to the dogs, calling her Bff Jo, flushing the toilet, doing the dishes left over from the night before, and the list goes on and on.


I think if I could get a descent nights sleep, I might not mind so much going home to see my parents.  But it is damn hard to drive 4 hours on 3 hours of sleep!  I should leave my parents in a wonderful mood, after getting to see them, but no, I am more stressed out than I was when I arrived. 


My family is not perfect, but I do love them no matter how much I complain.  I am who I am because of them.  Strong, independent, kind, protective, loyal, committed, hot headed, social butterfly, a leader..that and more rolled up into this little package that is me.  So, even though I am a little grouchy about having to sleep on a couch that smells like the 6 dogs that it has survived,  I already miss my Mom and Dad.  They are 4 hours away, and I get to see them about 4 days and 2 nights a year.  I hope to, one day soon, be able to change that.