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"I Got the Power"
By coolgranny in The Paradox of Long Lives
November 30, 2009

Thanksgiving was wonderful. Son's family was here and my blond entertained us until nap time. After we said goodbyes and the blond waved back, packing started for the trek to the lease. I was supposed to be a 5 day thing, so my duffel was packed for a variety of weather. This is he easiest trip with the turkey leftovers and the really good side dishes ready to eat when we get there. Hub said to relax; there was no rush the next morning. 5AM came awfully fast. Husbands are such liars. We were off by 7:00; only because I purposely made my organizing a slow process by forgetting this and that. I am devious with my paybacks at 5 in the morning after being told I could sleep until 7.

Camp was fun, and the kill for the weekend was an 8 point heavy buck. We cooked the pig shot the weekend before, and Hub is looking forward to barbacoa tonight for dinner. Makes my life easy.

I have very few moments of triumph in this family, but it felt great to just say no to the tribe concerning Christmas this season. A little history here. For decades, Hub and I have been the road warriors to make sure that grandparents were all happy. We traveled from our home to granny houses, so hugs and gifts could be exchanged every year. It was just assumed that we would be the toy packers and on the go. Everyone else lived near the different tribes. If I started in September, I could occasionally convince them that the tribe could celebrate the day in our territory. All of that stopped the Christmas that Victoria had the big snow. My tribe called and wanted to know if it would be too much trouble to pack up the dinner and bring it down south. That did it for me, no one except my kids and their families get invited anymore. Relatives have even invited themselves on occasion, and I am always out of town somewhere else.

Hub's side of the family is all invited to a wedding on the 19th. The wedding is at 10:30 and the reception/brunch will be over at 3:00. At that time, hub and I will probably crawl to our rooms and remember our college days. We are both looking forward to a brainless weekend. On the 20th, we made plans to hug and exchange gifts with my side of the family, and all are thrilled about this. Hub's family wants us to give up the brunch, drive to Kingsville, hug and exchange gifts, spend the night farther south in Premont, then drive to Victoria. Folks, just a few years ago, we would have caved, not so this year.

All were just flabbergasted that I wouldn't give up our plans and yield to the family matriarch. Hub backed me up completely, and all were miffed at me for the afternoon. After we were on the road back home, I thanked him for backing me, and reminded him that we hadn't had a holiday with my family since 2006. I have the video to prove it. Later in the evening, my older son put it all in perspective for me. He reminded me that I am the granny of the family now. I have my own tribe to enjoy, and our goals should prioritize time with them. If we all cross paths sometime, that would be great, but if we don't that should be OK, too. I think my son and hub just honored me with these words of wisdom. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I was blessed in a very surprising way this season. Bring on Christmas.