A Reunion and a Birthday

It isn't often that all three of the Peterson siblings get together. More often, two of us will travel to see each other, but it's rare when all three can arrange to meet. After all, we're each in a different state, miles and hours of travel separating us. But last week we were able to get together for the first time in--well, I can't recall the last time we were together. Probably for a funeral somewhere.

Knowing that we should get together since all of us are aging and we never know when the next time might be, we finally decided just to do it--if the creek don't rise. And we did it! Dale and his wife Debbie came up from Florida, and Gina came through the Gorge and over the mountains to our house in South Carolina. And they stayed for more than just an afternoon or overnight. This was a long-term commitment they made. Dale stayed TWO nights, and Gina stayed ONE. That might not seem like very long to some people, but for those two it was very unusual. Their schedules usually prevent their staying any longer. But the older we get and the longer the time between such reunions, the longer it takes for us to catch up with what's been going on with each other.

We had a good time together, spending much of it reminiscing--when we weren't complaining about our numerous physical ailments, sure signs of our aging. But the laughter was like medicine, and we laughed through the pain.

Clockwise from front: Gina, Connie, me, Dale, and Debbie.

And we ate. It seemed that the most exercise we got was in walking back and forth between the living room and the dining room. Some of the repast was healthful foods, but more of it was sweets. And coffee. And tea. We were so loaded with sugar and caffeine, it's a wonder any of us got any sleep. But it took all that to energize us for the laughter that ensued.

Amid the talking and eating and laughing (often all three at once), Connie and the others shared a birthday cake with me. I don't enjoy being reminded of my age, but I sure do enjoy the eating that comes with it. It was the first "birthday party" I'd had since my sixth one. (My parents had promised parties at six and sixteen, but I don't recall ever having one when I turned sixteen.)

We also drove a bit, although I tried to be sensitive to the wear and tear it would take on Dale and Debbie, who had traveled all the way from Florida. We drove east along the Cherokee Foothills Parkway and had brunch at the famed Strawberry Hill. Unfortunately, it's not strawberry or peach season, so the restaurant's signature dishes weren't on the menu, but it was fun and tasty nonetheless.

The family after a delicious, filling brunch at Strawberry Hill

We drove from Strawberry Hill west along the same highway and up the winding ascent to Sassafras Mountain, the highest mountain in South Carolina. It sits astraddle of the North Carolina-South Carolina border, and one can also see into northern Georgia. I had prayed for a rainless day and had the prayer answered. However, I hadn't prayed for a crystal clear day, and it was a bit overcast and hazy. (It pays to pray specifically!) The climb up to the observation point, despite its being concreted most of the way, revealed to all of us how out of shape we are. The way back down was not as steep and so was much easier.

The three stooges (er, siblings) on Sassafras Mountain

We then parted ways briefly, the ladies to go shopping (of course!) and we men to the shooting range to hone our skills there. (That was much less strenuous than either hiking up Sassafras Mountain or shopping.)

Everyone made it back home safely. (Connie and I didn't have far to travel.) And we each returned to our normal, hectic schedules. Retirement was supposed to be an easing off the activities, but we've found that we're as busy as (or busier than!) we were before "retiring." We have a little breather, though, before the Christmas season hits us. That's when Connie and I will experience another much noisier reunion. All four of our girls, their husbands, and eight grandchildren descend for that holiday. More food! More weight gain! More enjoyment and fellowship with family.

There's no substitute for it!