This Week with Grandma

I had a full house Tuesday evening.
My parents just got back to Michigan after spending the winter down south (Thanksgiving was the last time I saw them.), so Tuesday I had the gang over for dinner. Mom and Dad, my aunt (Dad's sister) and my big brother all came over. Of course, Grandma (Dad's mom) was already here. We put an extra leaf in the table to accommodate, and were ready for what I was hoping would be a good time.
See, my family of origin has some issues. (Who doesn't???) There are struggles in relationships. We have wounds, and experience brokenness just like everyone else. And I was very aware of the potential for tension in the air Tuesday.

But can I tell you?

We had so.much.fun!

Now, it could be the Reconsilosec I slipped into the baked beans (I jest!), but I think it's more likely we were all just sincerely happy to see each other. We caught up, and remembered when, and wondered about the future. And laughed. Lots and lots of laughter!
Grandma had to excuse herself from the table and go lay down - because she was worn out from all the laughing. And when it was time to say good-night, everyone took a turn in her bedroom and bid her farewell. The personal attention really blessed her. (I know, because I heard her telling a friend about it on the phone the next day.)
This isn't to say our family quirks and relationship wounds have all been laid aside. Sometimes I'm afraid that'll never happen.
But it is to say, I'm glad I took the risk. I'm glad we got together and took time to love and laugh. I'm glad the fear of what-might-have-been didn't win. And I look forward to doing it again.

And now I want to turn it over to you.
Has your family got "issues," too? And do those issues sometimes get in the way of getting everyone together? Take it from Grandma and me - the love of family is worth it. Go ahead and give it a try!
(And if you need a great recipe for burgers to serve everyone, let me know. Mine were a huge hit! *wink*)