Out to See

Aside: Please note that segments of this blog may not be coherent as I am subject to a bevy of comments from various relatives while trying to type this. Not wanting to disappoint my loyal fans, I am trying valiantly to thread a sentence together.  Around me in a semi-circle are my brother-in-law and uncle, both trying in vain to read a book each, my aunt who keeps chirping every three seconds for me to put in good words about her, and my sister whose eyebrows are reaching the stratosphere while she is begging me not to be included in this episode.
 
So here it goes: My aunt and uncle have concluded their tour of British Columbia, and they are to fly home via Seattle. As such, my nutty sister commandeered her beat up van across the border to whisk them and their seven pieces of luggage away. Seeing as how my four year old, Lanes, is super attached to them, I thought it best that we tag along on the American leg of their tour. I was hoping that the sight of my nieces would distract Lanes from missing them too much.


Come Friday, my ever faithful, yet slightly batty sister (also an apt description for a steadfast but eccentric hound), came and got us and we had a lovely trip down I-5 and memory lane.  Several childhood stories were related at my expense and apparently at my expanse (I had to get the wide hip gene). Being the youngest is a tough job.  At least I also got the wit, charm and good looks gene (which when mutated is the 'you have a &*^%* hope' gene).


In our two days in Seattle, my sister and her family took everyone to the usual tourist haunts. We even went blackberry picking. I tried to do this in Canada, as most of the route to and from Lanes' school is lined with blackberry bushes, but my aunt shooed me away from them and told me that I am not on any uncertain terms to collect berries I was not familiar with. And that was the end of that.


Any old how, while in America, my aunt was assured by my sister that the bushes, which looked exactly like the ones in my neighborhood, indeed yielded ready to pick blackberries. Everyone had a ball collecting them, especially since we were awaiting the delicious pie that would be the fruit of our labor.


Since Lanes was safely occupied, I took a moment to lie down on the grass and look at the sky. It seems mundane, but when life takes ahold of you and you don't have a minute to spare, watching the clouds floating by is not something to be taken for granted. It was the longest and most peaceful five minutes I have had in a long time.


My brother-in-law had brought along some craft that looked like an inflatable canoe. Lanes was really excited to go out in the water on it. If her father was around, he might have had second thoughts, but seeing as how I am afraid of the water, I didn't want Lanes growing up feeling inhibited. I gave her a big ok, especially since my brother-in-law was a certified lifeguard and she was amongst strong swimmers. I also made them solemnly swear they will keep my baby safe.


She set off with her cousins and their father screeching with delight every time the waves gave the raft a nudge or push. At that point, I immediately regretted my decision and was thinking of having a nervous breakdown, but seeing as it was too late to change anything, I just focused on the look of pure joy on Lanes' face. I then realized that I saw my uncle help patch up a hole in the canoe before we left the house. That's when the cold sweat hit me.


When they were out of sight, I prayed and held my breath until I saw them bobbing back towards me. I clung onto Lanes for dear life and all she could do was try to break free and go for ride number two! Fortunately, my sister materialized with some fried chicken and distracted everyone from going out again. 


Lanes has decided that when she is older, I am to take her on a hot air balloon ride (which works fine since I am full of hot air myself), her dad has to take her on a roller coaster, and 'Big Daddy', my bro-in-law, has to take her white water rafting. Meanwhile, I'm sure by the time she is old enough to do all those things, she would have picked more hip folks to do it with. Hmm.


The fun and games are fizzling out now. My aunt and uncle are to be packed off tomorrow night. I'll be left with a sullen Lanes, who keeps giving their luggage the evil eye.  I, too, have been sad about their imminent departure (my aunt wanted me to mention the depths of despair I would be propelled to when she leaves). But jokes aside, it was really nice to have them around--like cuddling with a snug and well worn blanket.


Next week, Lanes should be back in school and I have to sort myself out, making appointments with doctors and for driving lessons, neither of which sounds fun at all. The quiet in our apartment will be deafening and we might feel rather lonesome. I shall have to stock my grumbling fridge with some fudge ice cream to get me through. More stories from BC next week...