The Magic Kingdom

My oldest daughter, Molly, who has been visiting with her two preschoolers, commented yesterday that I hadn't posted lately.  Laughing, I reminded her that I've been otherwise occupied.

We've been in the true Magic Kingdom of Making Memories.

Now, we're staying only 90 miles from the theme parks in Orlando.  My nieces have referred to me, but mostly their mother, as a Parkaholic.  True, even at this distance, I not infrequently hear the siren song of the Tower of Terror calling my name.  Last year, we caved in and spent a very enjoyable day at Universal Studios (both parks so we could ride the Hogwarts train between them).  And we're here until the end of the month, so anything could happen,

For the past 4 weeks, we have been blessed with family company.  First our daughter Maggie, son-in-law Pete and their daughter, my darling Georgia Rose were here.  Unfortunately, and not unlike the rest of the country, Florida was in the midst of a cool spell (cf The North Wind Doth Blow).  It didn't matter because we were in the Magic Kingdom where we were making memories of spending time together, away from the hub bub of the normal routine.  We were greeted exuberantly by Georgia each and every morning; it was always as if this was the first time she had seen us.  Everyone in the complex came to know her, as she made sure to say hello whenever she passed by.  One day, a worker in the adjacent townhouse came out to see her when he noticed she was in the parking lot.  We'll remember that and so much more.  We'll also remember that before they left, Maggie and Pete said, "If you do this again next year, we're in."

My sister, Barb and brother-in-law Pat were next to arrive.  They rented a house about a mile and a half south of here; three of their 4 daughters and families came to their Magic Kingdom.  During that time, Molly and her boys arrived so the family circle grew and the second cousins, young as they are, began the process of understanding who these relatives are, how they are connected and why that is important in the grand scheme of life.  One night we played cards on their balcony and ended up calling He Who Must Not Be Named and my son-in-law Darin.  We'll remember that and so much more.

Molly, Jackson and Beau were here the longest.  The boys regained their sea legs from last year and fearlessly, even ferociously challenged the Gulf.  They loved the pool, loved it even more when other visiting kids were splashing around with them.  Molly has an extraordinary way of approaching children and asking them what they know about autism so they, and their parents, feel comfortable around and inclusive with Jackson.  At one point, when Jack was clearly playing with the other kids, I became overwhelmed, remembering his diagnosis when his parents were told he wouldn't walk, he wouldn't talk, in fact he would probably die.  We considered going on a boat ride, or up to Busch Gardens, and decided that hanging around this glorious place, together, was more than enough.  We'll remember that and much more.  I would be remiss if I didn't add one of my favorite memories, which is almost 3 year old Beau climbing urgently out of the pool or clambering from the ocean, announcing, "I've got to go potty."  He is a great fan of the nature pee, so he would rush over to the pool fence, drop his shorts, adjust his hips so he could aim onto the grass, and let 'er go.

I'm also remembering my dear, sweet, kind, gentle, loving nephew, Kevin Dahl Hall, who died very unexpectedly this week of esophageal cancer.  You know how there are so many times you want to get together with someone, and you don't, but then there are also those times when you do whatever it takes to get  off the dime and go?  I regret the times we didn't and savor the times we did.  One particular thing I remember about Kevin is how, usually sotto voce, he would slip in just the perfect comment to me that he knew I would appreciate.  We'd share a laugh and the exchange of glances that said, "I am so glad you are part of my life.  I get it.  You get me.  I get you."  God bless him.  He is now an angel and I think that's one of the first times I've said that about anyone.

Cooking:

I am sorry to report that we have been eating relatively simply over these past couple weeks.  I am pleased to add that we have not wanted for wonderful dinners but primarily of the tried and true variety.  Last night Molly made Bang Bang Shrimp, which I highly recommend.