An Ordinary Day

 

On Saturday, Himself and I drove down to Havre de Grace, Maryland, to a nearby State Park. We arrived around eleven, staked a claim on a couple of picnic tables, and settled down to wait.

We didn't wait long. Soon Sherry and her family arrived and not long after, Andrew's car, full of him and his family, pulled in. We had not seen Andrew's tribe since Christmas.

We picnicked. The kids blew all of the bubbles that Amy had so thoughtfully provided and it seemed to me that the colors in the bubbles were more beautiful and iridescent than usual. The adults had good conversation. The grandparents delighted in the grandchildren. Some people hiked. Some people climbed on the playground equipment. Some people used the little kits Sherry had brought and made slime that amused many other people. More than one person ventured over to observe the wedding going on in the pavilion nearby. Everyone ate two (or more) portions of the five varieties of homemade ice cream that Himself had brought.

At five o'clock we gathered everything up and scurried off to nearby Port Deposit where Andrew had made a reservation at an alehouse with abundant outdoor seating. Sam experienced ribs. Joe had an immense bowl of mussels. I had my first Mule. The kids behaved beautifully. The band was loud and we embraced it nonetheless. 

A family picnic in a park. A dinner at a burger place. Ordinary activities ordinarily. But this time, so very, very special. An ordinary day we will long remember.