Last week my man and I packed up a suitcase and headed south to LA. Now, I know that sounds all glamorous, but before you get too excited the LA we headed to was Lower Alabama. You see my man’s family roots are in L.A and it had been a very long time since we had seen his aunt and uncle. So, since it was spring break and we already had the time off planned, we decided to pay them a little visit on our way to the beach to spend some time with our friends, Robert and Cindy.
It takes about 5 hours to get to Greg’s family’s home in south Alabama. This is about the third or fourth time we have visited them in the 17 years we have been married. **I know…shame on us.**
Anyway, I remember the first time I went to see them. I was stunned at this:
Do you see what I am talking about? The first time we visited them about 17 years ago, I was totally appalled that my husband turned off the road that runs by their house and just, as he says, “went boiling off up in the yard”. No driveway. No gravel. No concrete. Just, just yard! It was totally unthinkable to me. My Daddy took such good care of his grass and to think about driving on it….well, it just would never have happened at our house.
But apparently things are done differently in LA. There were many, if not most, homes that had no defined driveway. It seemed to be accepted practice to just park in the yard…on the grass. No one seemed to be disturbed by it but me. It has taken me about 17 years but I think I am going to be able to recover from the trauma of driving and parking on the grass!!
Anyway, we arrived at their home and was promptly greeted by Toby, their very large collie.
Not far behind was Greg’s aunt, Kathryn and uncle, John.
Uncle John, Greg, and Aunt Kathryn
They are such precious souls who are in their 80s. We spent about 5 hours visiting, talking, laughing and catching up on family stuff. Of course, Kathryn is a true southern lady, so she had a deeee-licious meal cooked. We ate supper with them and then left to head on down to the beach.
So, what lessons did I learn in LA? First, that it is ok to park on the grass….in some places. Second, family is precious and I married into a really great one. Third, love endures.
Isaiah 46:4 – I will be your God throughout your lifetime — until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (NLT)
