...Keep it Tight.
AMAZING WEEKEND!!! Too much to share, so I am going to attach a slide show so that you can see it all. My "Other Brother Andrew" (I always have to say that because My Other Brother Matt is my neighbor) came to town with his family. Andrew earned an MBA from Maryland this year, and he and his family came to town to attend graduation exercises and celebrate.
I love Andrew. He lives in Lake Bluff, Illinois with his wife, Rachel, his twin sons, Cal and Brooks (if you are from Maryland you are smiling when you see those names), and his daughter Amelia Sue (we call her Mimi). Andrew works for the Lake County Forest Preserves, and when folks ask me, "What does that mean?" I say, "He runs a museum," which is probably 10-15% true.
IN EXILE. Mainers have a saying for Mainers who "live away" (out of state). They are Mainers in Exile. (I am a Mainer In Exile...I am also a New Orleanean in Exile, too.) Andrew and Rachel are Marylanders in Exile. More than even normal Baltimorons, they love the Orioles. Cal (RIPKEN?) and Brooks (ROBINSON?)? They live for the crab feast, and ship bushels of hot crabs out to Chicago for their Annual Crab Feast each summer. SO, we did it up homestyle for the Marylanders in Exile this weekend. We had a Bull and Oyster Roast on Saturday night (Which is as decadent, social and fun as a crab feast.) We screamed at the TV during the Preakness (Yay, BIG BROWN!!!) and we feasted on crabs at Mom and Dad's house in Easton on Sunday.
There are so many photos that I would like to share, so here is the link to my ofoto page - again, you may have to copy and paste:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=d9uixx9.5u9p067x&x=0&y=wszbyw&localeid=en_US
As we drove back to Annapolis from Easton on Sunday, I listened to a CD that My Friend Jill made for me last year. She gave it to me when I was in the car, loaded up with the kids, leaving Louisville forever on a rainy day. Listening to each song, especially the ones that I had never heard, was like opening a gift. The songs made me "happy and sad at the same time." (That is a favorite expression of mine that I use often. Cassie Carroll is to be credited for that!) Although I've heard the song a million times now, the song "Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight" by Amos Lee reminded me of my family. I kept playing it over and over again as I followed My Brother Matt home in our twin minivans. I thought about the words while the Little Burkes slept behind me:
"Oh, we all need a place that we can go
somewhere over the rainbow
sometimes we forget what we got
and who we are
and who we are not
I think we got a chance to make it right
You gotta keep it loose, child
Keep it tight."
The little family that my mom and dad started when they married as near-children themselves has grown in so many ways. My brothers and I have all moved away....and come back in our own way. It was not easy for my parents to Keep It Loose, and to let us go. In letting us go, they freed us to become individuals. My brothers and I do not feel stifled by any obligatory, familial weight. I believe that I can speak for each of us when I say that we draw strength from the love that we shared when we lived on Benson Branch Road, and the love that we share now. We have a family culture that we honor, and a respect for the way that our parents raised us. Siblings grow up to be different. Our differences are are grounded in the things that we share that remain the same. Having a secret laugh or look with a sibling is like driving up the driveway. There's comfort and relief there, that the separation of time and place, or the development of one's individuality can't take away. To be related to someone, whether by blood, or a marriage vow, is truly one of life's greatest gifts.
I am a lucky girl - I can tell you openly and truthfully that I adore my brothers, and their wives. I am grateful and thankful to my parents for the life that they have given me. My children know and love their cousins.
As my own children grow, and as the time comes to let go a little on these military-style reigns, I will try to loosen up. I know that in doing so, and in allowing my children to be themselves, this family will be able to keep it tight.
Love to all -
