Going Out With a Bang

 

We had a blast this past weekend... literally. But, I'll get to that part in a minute.

Mark was able to take a day off on Friday, so we all packed into the Jeep Thursday night (good practice for when we make the long drive to Guatemala) and drove the 4 or so hours to his childhood home.

These things are becoming increasingly bittersweet.

We ate. We talked. We ate. We played cards. We ate some more. You know the drill - just a regular weekend together with family. We did our best to soak it all up - the beautiful autumn colors, the smiles, the playful teasing. (They won one hand of canasta, and we won the other, for those of you who are curious.)

We know that God will put new friends into our lives once we get to Xela, but nothing can replace the deep and wonderful relationships we have with our families.

In this case, we're not the only ones feeling the impending changes that are just around the corner. Not only are we moving, but the senior Farriers (hah!) are also planning on moving next year - all the way to the Gulf Coast of Alabama.  I hate to get maudlin and sentimental, but these really are some of the last 'lasts' we'll ever have at the only home that Mark ever lived in as a child.

You know how they say that you can never really go home again? For him, that is especially true.

So, we reflected and celebrated all of the changes our extended family will soon face in the only way that we know how - by blowing stuff up.

My father-in-law has been a certified pyrotechnician for the last 20 years or so. We have also (at various times) been certified and helped out with fireworks shows. That, too, is something he and the rest of us are giving up. After the sale of the bunker, he still had a few odds and ends left over, which we used to truly 'have a blast' for the last time together. (At least, in that particular way. Don't worry - there are plenty more good times, meals, and card games ahead of us!) I must admit - it was a lot of fun getting gunpowder on my fingers and dropping shells into mortars again. I even got to use a fire extinguisher!

Seriously, people - if you're not cherishing your family time together, you really should be. Just some free advice, from someone who's come to realize just how true it is.

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