Today has been a beautiful day is so many ways. I sat on the porch this morning and ate my bagel and watermelon and watched the cardinals and purple finches and chickadees. Gave up on Mr. Downy Woodpecker but he showed up on the suet feeder before I went in the house. Cool breezes were clacking the wind chimes together making a tintinnabulation symphony. Kept hearing this bird say, “You’re pretty, you’re pretty!” A wren singing from a limb high up in the oak tree. They are so loud to be so little. He was fat and round and would lean back and poke his chest out and sing with gusto. I love my birds. Hope Shady Oaks has good windows in their rooms! Course I’m not going anytime soon I hope. One of my nieces said she would tend to me. I agreed as long as she supplied me with doublemint gum and glass bottle Cokes! Well, bird feeders and seeds, too. And hoop cheese and soda crackers, never mind. I’m fine where I am!

We had our McMurray Fam Jam this afternoon up at baby brother’s house. We always gather together to celebrate the beginning of summer. We had such a good time. We had grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and all the trimmings and delicious desserts to go along with the homemade ice cream. The children played in the pool, shivering when they would get out, wrapping up in their colorful towels for a few moments, then jumping back in the water. The wind made the day pleasant. The sun beamed down and warmed us up and when we got hot we’d just rearrange the furniture and big umbrellas till we were back in the shade.

I was so comfortable in this big soft chair that I didn’t budge till it was time to put the feed bucket on. I missed the tall tales that were told around the brothers’ table. Heard my oldest was telling some tales from his college days so probably a good idea I didn’t hear his tales. I have some college tales, too, but I’m keeping them to myself. I’ll share them at Shady Oaks!

When it got too hot and we couldn’t move the umbrella any more, I moved to the carport to sit with baby brother and watch all our grandchildren enjoying being together. They were running around playing tag and hide and seek, riding little motorized cars, playing football and tail ball. I’d never seen a tail ball. I thought it look like a stocking cap but baby brother said, “It looks just like a sperm!” Well, we all got the giggles and the more they threw the tail ball, the more we saw a spermatozoon swimming through the air and we laughed till we got choked and started coughing.

Baby brother and I just could not stop laughing. We laughed hysterically and coughed so much someone said, “Damn, y’all sound like Typhoid Mary!” I asked how much it cost and someone said tree dollars and then I said, “Well, I’m buying some for the McMurray Christmas dinner this year.” Baby brother said, “Yeah, we could put one at everyone’s plate.” I’m telling you all, we were all laughing like we were crazy. Good old gut belly laughing like lunatics. Love these folks of mine. We know how to put on the feed bag and have a good laugh and have a good time.

Family is such a wonderful part of life. My most cherished memories revolve around holiday and special occasion dinners with my loved ones. The anticipation of seeing cousins from out of town thrilled me as a child. My grandchildren feel the same way. They are forming life long friendships that will keep our family traditions continuing for another generation.

Our families are our pillars of strength. They rally around us in the stormy parts of our lives and help us heal. They teach us how to love, how to respect each other, how to be caring, and how to carry on family traditions. Families also give us the gift of laughter.

“Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter,” — Brad Henry