"What the heck is wrong with your voice?"
"I don't know," I squeaked. "It's getting worse... and I'm not going to shut up, so..."
That basically sums up the best weekend of my year so far: unable to breath properly, without a voice, squeaking and squawking, but surrounded by family, completely happy and unwilling to shut up.
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| This is a reenactment. |
I was sick enough that day to nap and turn down chocolate, which to me meant sick enough to consider a four hour road trip daunting at best.
But, we were going to visit family I hadn't seen in almost two years. My cousin Sweet, who is just one month older than Vyelit, is just one week more pregnant* than Vyelit. Vye was dying to see her, and I'd promised we go, so I gathered my energy and haphazardly packed enough to get me through a weekend and off we went at 7:30 on Friday night.
Vyelit was sick too so the car ride was pretty interesting. Instead of spotting out of state license plates or admiring scenery, we were arguing about who couldn't breath the most and kicking ourselves for having forgotten to bring along tissues. Sniffles abounded. And since our sickness was inherited from Ellie (as I said last post) we both ended up losing our voices. That was quite entertaining while: trying to sing in the car, trying to talk to each other over the music, trying to be heard in the middle of our family discussions. That was not entertaining while: meeting new people.
As soon as we got to my aunt's house late Friday, it was as if we'd never left at all. We made the rounds of kisses, made the customary "'cion Tia" greetings and all squeezed onto the couches to catch up. We good naturedly told our parents they were old and they told us young ones we were fat. Us kids made fun of our mother's for their secret love of cooking and they complained about how much they've spoiled us.
We talked about how 3 of the 7 cousins staying in one house were pregnant. The Pregnants took this opportunity to plan the menu for the rest of the weekend. All I'm gonna say is that we ate good.
It was only two days, but it was needed. I laughed and made fun of people and was made fun of, the way that can only happen between close family. I spoke Spanish and ate mangu. I lounged on a private beach and slept on a cot. I felt myself for the first time since I was unceremoniously laid off.
I'll tell you the biggest problem I've had with so much time free time: I've slowly run out of things to say. I love words and suddenly inactivity had left me without many. What stories do I tell? What conversation do I have? What do I write or say?
Being in Tampa not only gave me a new story, or several as you'll see, but it reminded me of a truth about happiness. Do you ever play the "the last time I was here" game? I do it all the time. Vye and I spent a chunk of our driving time talking about all our past trips to Tampa. They bookmarked our summers and catalog our growing up. And the last time I visited my aunt there, I was upset. I was sad. I was full of stories and had so much to say, sure, but I was heartbroken.
The last time I drove to Tampa at all, I crashed my car.
I'm glad I was reminded that things aren't bad at all. If I'm upset by inactivity, I just have to get up and do more. I'm happy. I'm loved. My family is amazing. No one called me fat once this weekend and I'm pretending it wasn't because I was surrounded by pregnant women.
Things are good. I can see that better now.
On Thursday, I will tell you about meeting with my blogger friend Jennifer while I was up there. And, she gave me a little homework assignment so I will post it then too.
I also wrote a post for Renee's Powerful Women Dialogues, where I talk a little more about my family (aaaand also about YA). Please check it out! Funnily enough, when I wrote the post I had no idea I'd be returning to Tampa soon. And yes, some in my family did ask me when I planned on marrying, and even better if I felt sad that my little sister was having a baby before I would. No freakin' comment.
I hope you all enjoyed your weekends.
I like your faces.
*How do you say "more pregnant?" One week more... advanced? Is the baby technically one week older if it hasn't been born yet? I'M SO CONFUSED.
