Sunday, February 16, 2020

Oh brother(s)

I hadn't slept since getting up on Friday morning for my flights, about thirty hours when you count the time difference. But I was mighty hungry. I brewed a cup of coffee in the hotel room; it was equipped with one of those Keurig one-cup coffee machines. I texted my brothers and they were up and ready to eat, too, so we went to a nearby breakfast place. I had a bacon and avocado omelette and a toasted English muffin. Breakfast in America.

My sister's husband used my camera to take this photo. Standing left to right: Steve, Geoff, Adam, Matt, Scott, and a seriously jet-lagged me. Seated: Stepmom and sister Laurie. I'm the oldest and, evidently, the smallest.

After breakfast, I drove back down to Albany to get set up in my aunt's apartment (I stayed there with my aunt during my last trip, so I was familiar with the place), then I drove back up the Northway to the nursing home where my stepmother lives. The siblings were gathering there to spend some time with her; she is the older sister of the aunt that passed away. There are eight of us and we were only missing one: a sister who was unable to be there. We spent a few hours reminiscing, then seven of us went out to a steakhouse for dinner. It was snowing lightly when I drove back down to the apartment, but not enough to make driving difficult. I slept well that night. Catch-up sleep.

13 comments:

  1. That's the thing about family and funerals -- they are wonderful reunions. You and your brothers all have beards - and mostly the same beard shape! Now you are getting over the eastbound jetlag, which I always find more difficult than the westbound.

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  2. I was afraid it was your stepmom who had passed away and didn't dare asking. Such a big family!

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  3. You appear to be the thinnest of the family. All that French food.

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    1. That's just what I was thinking!
      Great photo, it's interesting to see who's who in your family.

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  4. I'm sorry for your loss and glad you had a safe trip. Your family looks like they were probably fun to grow up with . I don't want to make anyone mad but you don't look like the oldest.

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  5. What a nice photo. Lewis and I both noticed that you and your brothers all have chin hair. You also have similar smiles for the photo. The wallpaper makes for a pretty good back drop.

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  6. Ah! So many siblings to get to have! Great photo :)

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  7. Catching up. Condolences on the passing of your aunt. As others have said, you may be the oldest but you look the healthiest. I guess we should all walk in vineyards every day!

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  8. Wow. What a family resemblance, although you of course got all the looks! I had no idea you were from a family of 7 with only one sister. I can’t imagine!

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  9. My there is a family resemblance indeed.

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  10. ellen, I was there just long enough to begin adjusting. Now I've got to re-adjust!

    chm, I am preparing myself for that day, too. My stepmother is the oldest of her siblings.

    travel, I think the American diet is bad these days. Too much processed food. It's everywhere.

    jean, it's a big group (in many ways), and we were missing one!

    joanna, thanks!

    evelyn, I noticed the goatees as well, but only when I saw the photo!

    judy, Eight is enough! We used to be like the Brady Bunch until the twins came along.

    bettyann, thank you. Yes, walking every day makes a difference, I think.

    mitch, eight! One of my two sisters is missing. It was certainly an experience.

    michael, it gets more obvious (to me) as we age, for some reason.

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  11. my condolences on your aunt's passing. and a new pix of tasha on the right side! you and geoff and scott look alike.

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