My youngest brother Joe got in to Michigan on Friday morning to finally join his wife, 4 kids and the rest of our family. They're from Alaska so this is always a big treat for us every year. And it's an even bigger treat for them.  Alaska has some beautiful summer weather with really long days but they just don't have the beaches or lake like we have here. So, the first day the kids head down to the lake is like watching 4 slices of Wonderbread walking on the beach. They need to practice safe tanning so layering on #30 at least 4 or 5 times during the day is not a bad thing. I hate to have them look like burnt toast. And I speak from experience.  I have to use lots of sun protection because my parents were negligent when I was a child and I was sunburned several times and am now paying for it as an adult. Ok, I'm just kidding about the negligent part. They didn't make sunscreen when I was a kid. And, I did use baby oil in my pre-teens because I thought I could only burn so much and then I'd tan like my sisters. It didn't work. And it was a stupid idea. And, it hurt. A lot.

In the 8 days our family was together, there was only one injury to report and it truly was an accident. Unfortunately, at the expense of the kids,  we all learned a valuable lesson. When skipping rocks, the target area should always be in the direction of the lake, not your younger cousin's eyeball. It was nothing a trip to the hospital couldn't take care of. Plus, it was a 5 year old boy who got to wear a patch on his eye. I don't know how many people can say they had a pirate protecting their beach for 3 days so I think we were lucky,  especially since the convicts were still on the loose in the area. 

On Saturday my pastor, Fr. Edward, come in from Chicago to say mass for our family at my parent's house.  The kids were very well behaved and I'm sure it had something to do with fewer distractions than in a church and the fact that all the adults were staring at them so they wouldn't get out of line. We had to give the 3 year old a break though. He was really good until we took the mass outside. Instead of following us to the make-shift alter in the backyard, he exited toward St. Hammock. And even that worked out ok.  A lot of churches have a cry room where kids can be themselves and not disturb the congregation. My parent's cry room just happens to be hanging from a tree. 

I came home on Sunday and reserved Monday to decompress. A dear friend had sent me a book in the mail called "The Shack" and it was my goal to finish it.  It's a spiritual journey with lots of messages about forgiveness, letting go of resentments and not judging others. It's something each of my family members have done to each other at one time or another but it seems like we keep moving forward and not letting the past cripple us. If you haven't read the book, I would recommend it. I know I'll read it again. 

I'm sure it sounds like we're not a typical dysfunctional family. But, we are.  I think we just put it on hold this year. 

Today's EiPod: "Better Days",  The Goo Goo Dolls

(these lyrics are brilliant)