Gosh, I love these two! They are not famous, but they should be. They sat at the head of a big table a couple weeks ago, and endured the silliness of their children. Everyone laughed until their cheeks hurt.
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Mom is one of the two best living cooks in the WORLD, but never drew a paycheck for it. She loves to laugh out loud. If you can help it, don't ever play dominos with her... you will certainly lose..
Short people sometimes overcompensate to try to gain respect, but you wouldn't guess that about my dad. Dad is smooth and mellow. He has a gift for diplomacy. His sense of humor is dry and stealthy, flying in under the radar. He is the one who makes other people laugh. Although I am seven inches taller than him, I will always look up to him..
One afternoon, when they lived close to us, Mrs. Craver and I drove over to visit them. The two ladies stayed chatting in the kitchen. I'm so glad they get along so well. I went on back to the living room, where Dad was watching baseball. We engaged briefly in the obligatory small talk. I was taking up the whole couch, and he was comfortable in his recliner. The ballgame became the perfect background noise... for sleeping. My wife woke me up, saying that I should keep talking to him, but we were both exactly where we wanted to be. Ah, sweet fellowship! There ain't much better than a Sunday afternoon nap at Mom & Dad's house.
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There are two favorite memories that we have of them...one is from my perspective, one is from Wes' perspective, and both are from when we visited them in 2003.
Lita was preparing dinner, Wes was watching tv in the living room, Lito was checking something outside (presumably his banana plant, which he is/was quite fond of), and I was sitting at the dining room table. Lito came back in, walked right up to me and asked me if I would like to have a glass of wine with him. Together we sat at the table just chatting, about anything and everything, having a glass of wine. It was very special to me!! For Wes, it was the day we were leaving and in a typical grandfather fashion, he "slyly" snuck a $20 bill in Wes' hand. Wes said in the car that it meant a lot to him...not because of the money, but just the relationship itself that was so "you're my grandson, here's some money for lunch." :)
By the way, there are three best cooks in the world *cough cough*
Nice picture and words.
Yes, there's no place like "home", as they say. And that can be more than one place for us.
His humor flies under the radar. That's cool. I guess you inherited your mother's humor?
You are very blessed, Craver. You realize that, don't you?
Oh, Marcus. Quite clever. :)
And I love the sweet comfort evident in this post. Just being with family can be a pleasure (if you've got the right family, which you appear to!)
I did not always feel like I had the right family. When I was little, and subject to racism against hispanics, I didn't feel like I was part of the right family. During my teen rebellion, I did not feel that way, either. But today, I know it full, well. It is the family God put me in, and yes, I am very blessed.
One thing that does not feel like a blessing... My email notification is not working at the moment. What a drag.
Speaking of dealing with racism and such, I posted a blog about dealing with racism and realizing that God did not place me in a particular family by mistake. Not sure if you've had the chance to read it, but here's the link:
http://marycaryne.blogspot.com/2007/08/made-in-gods-image.html
This is a perfect post on your emotional attachments. We can understand how much you love them.
Are those Mediterranean waters in the background of your portrait? - Yes, you are right, its deep blue :-) Take care
What Marcus said. 'Cause I thought exactly the same thing.
I'm curious to know what your opinion is of my racism question over at my place.
And, as a follow-up to your concluding sentence in your actual post:
Too true. Except when mom and dad aren't actually there. I LIVE at my mom and dad's house, and they live . . . somewhere else. Kind of a bummer, sometimes, though I think we're all where we're supposed to be. Or at least they are.
The best fellowship doesn't always require talking, does it? Comfortable silence reveals a much deeper closeness, companionship and "feeling-at-homeness" than strained, uncomfortable conversation.
Craver, I join you in the joy you have in your adult relationship with your parents. Especially that they are still together and live so close to you and Mrs. Craver. Thanks, once again, for sharing your heart.
I love this little tribute to your folks. And the fact that you called them "units." That word gets used around our house in reference to my husband's parents too...
A clarification... They USED to live close to us. Now, Mom can't handle Chicago's weather, so they live in Florida. I miss hanging out with them more often. This picture was taken at my sister's house, when they came through for a few days.
Nice post. Gave me a sweet, homey feeling. Makes me wish I could hang out for more than just an hour a week at my folks' house (I'm not complaining, mind you - I know that hour each week is a blessing too. Just missing those long leisurely visits).
I wondered where they lived now - and I can't say as I blame them. I'm not looking forward to the cold weather either!
You're so right, Craver. That's one of te great joys of life.
They sound like sweetheawrts - you are so fortunate to still have them with you. Love them to bits at every opportunity while you can.
Say hello to your mum and dad for me.... you are very lucky. I don't have a mum and dad any more and I really miss them, and even though they have been gone from my life for a long time, I always will miss them.
My mum wasn't much good at dominoes but she could thrash everyone at scrabble.
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