Summer Solstice Moon
Standing in the driveway with Kate, waving at the grandkids and Jon and Jen as they took off 
for the Corn Palace, I felt like Norman Rockwell should be here, getting this down in paint. Kona, our old whippet, was there, too, probably relieved that Gabe, who grabbed the “little dog’s” collar and led her around, was on the way to some other place.
(last night at Running Aces)
I will remember drinking hamburger tea with Gabe in the playhouse, smores around the fire, Thomas and Allison’s visit, our night at Running Aces, hugs from Ruth and from Gabe, lots of them, conversations with Jon and Jen.
This is a functional family. No Virginia Satir necessary. And that’s saying something given the families of origin for both Jon and Jen. They’ve taken difficult childhoods and created a safe, loving, enriching haven for their own kids. Kudos to them.
Remembering my own visits to my grandparents, hazy memories at best, I couldn’t help wondering what sort of memories Gabe and Ruth took with them as they left. Probably not the ones I imagine.
I say that because one of my strongest memories of my Grandfather Keaton is of him in green flannel underware with buttons at the back, boiling sugar in water on the stove to make syrup, then sitting down to drink his coffee from the saucer.
